Pakistan’s Navy Lays The Keel of The Second Hangor Class Diesel-Electric Attack Submarine
On February 14, the Pakistan Navy held the keel laying ceremony for the second Hangor Class diesel-electric attack submarine, which was built with the cooperation of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) facilities. The keel laying ceremony was attended by Pakistan Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, as well as high-level guests such as Chinese embassy representatives and China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation executives.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf stated that it is a matter of great pride to witness the Keel Laying of the HANGOR Class Submarine at Karachi Shipyard in collaboration with China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC). He praised the joint efforts and performance of the Ministry of Defence Production, Pakistan Navy, Karachi Shipyard (KS&EW), and CSIC in the construction of these submarines. The Chief of the Naval Staff stated that indigenization is a major priority of Naval Headquarters policy, which is demonstrated by the construction of these cutting-edge submarines at KS&EW.
KS&EW General Manager Rear Admiral Salman Ilyas highlighted that Karachi Shipyard is fully cognizant and completely aligned with the goals set forth by the Government and Pakistan Navy in pursuing self-reliance in submarine construction. Ilyas added that these submarines demonstrate their commitment to the national cause. He also thanked the Ministry of Defense Production and the Pakistan Navy for their continued support and cooperation in realizing various projects at hand.
In 2015, Pakistan and China signed a defense agreement for the production of eight HANGOR Class submarines, estimated to be worth around US$4-5 billion. Four of the submarines are being built at Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry in China, while the remaining four are being built at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW). Pakistan started construction on the first Hangor-class submarine in Karachi in December 2022. The Pakistan Navy declared in 2016 that the first four vessels would be delivered by 2023 and the last four by 2028. However, very little information is available on the program’s current delivery schedule, which has been disrupted by numerous difficulties since then.
The Hangor Class submarines are the export version of the Type 039A (also known as the Yuan class) submarines, which are thought to be among the quietest diesel-electric submarine classes in service with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy. HANGOR Class Submarines, which are 76 meters long, 8.4 meters in diameter, and weigh 2,800 tons, will have 60 crew members and can stay at sea for 65 days. According to information available in open sources, the submarine, which is believed to be equipped with the Sterling Air Independent Propulsion (HBT/AIP) System, can cruise for 260nm+ with the diesel/electric propulsion system and 760nm+ with the Sterling AIP system. As of now, the weapon systems that the Hangor class submarines will be equipped with remain unconfirmed.