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In a significant leap for its naval capabilities, Pakistan has revealed a long-term strategy to independently design and manufacture a conventional submarine.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf confirmed that this indigenous platform will follow the complete induction of the Chinese-origin Hangor-class fleet.
Ultimately, this new class of submarines is intended to replace the Pakistan Navy's ageing French-designed Agosta 90B (Khalid-class) vessels.
This move represents Islamabad's first major endeavour to create an original submarine from scratch rather than relying on imported or licensed foreign designs.
This development is a crucial milestone, indicating that the ongoing Hangor programme is not an end goal but a strategic foundation for domestic design independence.
For over a decade, Pakistan has expressed a desire to evolve into a submarine-producing nation. Admiral Ashraf’s latest statements confirm that the Navy is ready to harness the technical expertise gained over the years to construct a fully indigenous platform.
The Hangor Stepping Stone
The Hangor-class initiative currently stands as the most extensive naval procurement in Pakistan's history.Procured through an agreement with Beijing, the fleet will consist of eight diesel-electric submarines based on China's S26 export model, which is a derivative of the Type 039A Yuan-class.
To build domestic capacity, production is split: four vessels are being constructed in China, while the remaining four are being assembled at the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) under a comprehensive technology transfer agreement.
The lead vessel, PNS Hangor, officially entered active service with the Pakistan Navy in 2026, with the rest of the fleet slated for phased induction by 2028.
These modern submarines boast Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, which allow them to remain submerged for extended periods without surfacing to recharge batteries, vastly improving their stealth capabilities.
Armed with advanced sonar systems, heavyweight torpedoes, and anti-ship missiles, the Hangor fleet offers a massive upgrade over the current Agosta boats.
Leveraging Decades of Technology Transfer
Acknowledging the steep learning curve of maritime engineering, Pakistan is taking a measured, phased approach.The ongoing construction at KSEW is equipping local engineers and shipyard workers with invaluable hands-on experience in modular assembly, system integration, and quality assurance.
By building four Hangor-class boats locally, KSEW can internalise critical manufacturing protocols before undertaking a completely original design.
This is not Pakistan's first foray into local submarine assembly. During the 1990s and early 2000s, the country built two of its three Agosta 90B submarines domestically under a French technology transfer agreement.
Furthermore, these French vessels are currently undergoing extensive mid-life upgrades by the Turkish defence firm STM, adding another layer of modern technical exposure.
By merging this past European experience with the latest Chinese manufacturing techniques, Pakistan is steadily building a diverse knowledge base.
The Reality of Technical Hurdles
While manufacturing submarines under a foreign licence is a major achievement, conceptualising and designing one independently presents a far steeper technical challenge.Creating a modern submarine demands advanced mastery in:
- Underwater hydrodynamics and structural metallurgy
- Acoustic signature reduction and soundproofing
- Complex propulsion and battery engineering
- Combat Management Systems (CMS) and sonar integration
While Pakistani engineers may successfully draft the submarine's structural framework, the highly sensitive internal technologies will likely remain imported.
Critical components such as advanced sonar arrays, propulsion engines, electronic warfare suites, and heavy weaponry will almost certainly require continued reliance on foreign defence contractors for the foreseeable future.
In this pursuit, Beijing will undoubtedly remain Islamabad’s primary technological ally. The Hangor project has already solidified deep industrial ties between Chinese state shipbuilders and KSEW.
If Pakistan moves forward with its homegrown submarine, Chinese experts will likely continue to supply propulsion and acoustic systems, gradually granting Pakistan more control over the overarching design architecture.
Strategic Implications and India's Position
Operationally, phasing out the Agosta 90B class will become a pressing necessity moving into the 2030s and 2040s.Although currently undergoing modernisation, these French submarines are steadily approaching the end of their operational lifespans.
Fielding an indigenous successor will allow the Pakistan Navy to sustain its underwater strength while steadily weaning itself off fully imported hardware.
This submarine initiative perfectly mirrors a broader paradigm shift within Pakistan's maritime strategy.
Beyond the underwater domain, the Navy is aggressively pushing for localized production of surface combatants, highlighted by projects like the Jinnah-class frigate.
By continuously expanding the infrastructure at Karachi Shipyard, the Pakistan Navy is clearly shifting from being a mere buyer of platforms to cultivating a self-sustaining defence industrial base.
From New Delhi's perspective, this development warrants careful monitoring, though it must be evaluated within realistic timeframes.
Bringing a clean-sheet submarine from the drawing board to active patrol is one of the most punishing endeavours in military engineering.
Even if design work commences immediately, it will take years of prototyping, rigorous sea trials, and validation before a Pakistani-designed boat is combat-ready.
By the time such a vessel eventually enters the waters, the Indian Navy is projected to have significantly advanced its own underwater capabilities through the ongoing Project 75(I), native AIP integration, the upcoming Project 76, and the steady development of its nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet.
