Pakistan plans to induct Hangor-class submarines, built in partnership with China, into its naval fleet by 2026 to strengthen its maritime posture in the Arabian Sea. This initiative reflects Islamabad’s drive to reinforce deterrence after India’s Operation Sindoor highlighted gaps in Pakistan’s defences. Despite the development, India maintains overwhelming naval superiority and a broader reach in the region.
The Hangor-class acquisition, part of an eight-submarine programme worth roughly $5 billion, signed in 2015, is progressing. The first submarine was launched in China in April 2024, with subsequent launches expected through 2025. Pakistan views this fleet expansion as vital for protecting sea routes associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and bolstering coastal security. Officials also emphasise that the project will build domestic technical capacity through technology transfer and skill development.
For years, China has been Pakistan’s principal defence partner across multiple domains. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reports that a vast majority of Pakistan’s arms imports in recent years originated from China. Beijing’s involvement includes co-developing the JF-17 fighter jets now central to Pakistan’s air power, and supplying VT-4 tanks used along sensitive land borders. With the submarine programme, cooperation now extends into deep maritime strategy, backed by other Chinese-built platforms like Type 054A/P frigates already active in Pakistan’s navy.
Hangor-class submarines feature air-independent propulsion to enhance underwater endurance and improve anti-submarine warfare capability. Pakistan argues these platforms will enhance surveillance and protect commercial and strategic lines of communication. Pakistani naval leadership also anticipates deeper future cooperation with China in emerging fields such as unmanned systems and electronic warfare. Maritime forums hosted in Karachi underscore Islamabad’s ambition to expand its maritime footprint and engage more deeply in blue-economy initiatives alongside defence cooperation.
India, meanwhile, retains decisive power in the North Arabian Sea. It fields two operational aircraft carriers, nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, Kalvari-class attack submarines, and a large number of destroyers and frigates armed with systems like the BrahMos missile. This operational edge was evident in Operation Sindoor, during which India sustained high alert levels and mobility across contested waters. The balance of power remains firmly in New Delhi’s favour despite Pakistan’s ongoing naval upgrades.
