The Pakistan Navy has commissioned its first HANGOR-class submarine, PNS/M HANGOR, in a ceremony held in Sanya, China. Asif Ali Zardari attended as the chief guest, alongside Chief of the Naval Staff Naveed Ashraf.
President Zardari described the induction as a historic milestone in the navy’s modernization efforts, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining a strong, balanced, and credible defence posture. He said the country remains fully capable of safeguarding its sovereignty, protecting maritime interests, and securing vital economic routes.
Speaking at the event, Admiral Naveed Ashraf highlighted growing risks to global trade and energy security due to disruptions at key maritime choke points. He stressed that maintaining a stable, rules-based maritime order requires technologically advanced naval capabilities.
He noted that the HANGOR-class submarines—equipped with modern weapons, advanced sensors, and air-independent propulsion systems—will enhance deterrence and help secure critical sea lines of communication across the Arabian Sea and the wider Indian Ocean region.
The naval chief also pointed to the historical significance of the name “HANGOR,” recalling that during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, a submarine with the same name became the first since World War II to sink a warship. He said the new vessel will carry forward that legacy while contributing to fleet modernization and maritime defence.
The commissioning ceremony was described as another step forward in defence cooperation between Pakistan and China, with senior officials from both the Pakistan Navy and the People’s Liberation Army Navy in attendance.
