Pakistan's Hangor Submarine Program Faces Delays, Technical Hurdles

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan's ambitious plan to strengthen its naval defenses with new Hangor-class submarines has encountered setbacks, indicating ongoing challenges within the production program. The nation's Ministry of Defence Production initiated the project in 2015, aiming to acquire eight submarines from China equipped with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology.

The collaborative agreement involves both Chinese production and domestic construction at the Karachi Shipyards and Engineering Works (KSEW). The Hangor class draws its design from China's S26 submarine model, a variant intended for the international market.

Initial projections targeted 2023 for the delivery of the first four Hangor submarines, but these deadlines have not been met. Despite the delays, progress is evident, with KSEW currently constructing two of the domestically assigned vessels.

A major obstacle arose when Germany halted exports of MTU diesel engines that were originally intended for the submarines. Pakistan has turned to Chinese-produced copies of the MTU engines, but experts warn these alternatives may create louder noise signatures that could make the submarines more detectable.

The integration of these substitute engines appears to be causing a significant slowdown in the program's timeline. The Hangor submarine initiative is ongoing, and overcoming technical issues with the substitute engines will be critical to its success. How Pakistan addresses these challenges will determine if the Hangor class ultimately lives up to its intended capabilities.

 

[Hari Sud]

Go ahead Pakistan and waste your scarce money on third rate Chinese hardware. India likes it that you go bankrupt and get third rate hardware.

 

[shivkumar sinha]

Pakistan is at least working on acquiring 8 new submarines though of inferior qualities. Bharat is currently not making any submarine after building 6 scorpenes .3 additional Scorpenes,6 P-75I and 6 P-76 all are only on paper. Pathetic underwater capabilities! Some heads must roll in MoD for criminal negligence.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Pakistan will get 8 AIP equipped submarines in a while. That combined with 5 Agosta class submarines already in service brings total number if submarines to 13.

Indian Navy currently has 18 submarines including 2 nuclear SSBNs and also 3 submarines under construction. One SSN on lease.

This puts PN on a very competitive position where they will be able to hold IN on the western flank in case of a war.

IN needs to speed up development and induction of Project-75i and Project-76 submarines including at least 10 SSBNs and an equal number of SSN to keep the PLAN at bay.

 

[Anant]

Pakistan will get 8 AIP equipped submarines in a while. That combined with 5 Agosta class submarines already in service brings total number if submarines to 13.

Indian Navy currently has 18 submarines including 2 nuclear SSBNs and also 3 submarines under construction. One SSN on lease.

This puts PN on a very competitive position where they will be able to hold IN on the western flank in case of a war.

IN needs to speed up development and induction of Project-75i and Project-76 submarines including at least 10 SSBNs and an equal number of SSN to keep the PLAN at bay.

The Hangor-class will bring their overall numbers up to 11, since the two ancient Agosta-70s will retire. They are already almost 45 years old each.

As for our SSN on lease, I would just write that off. Simply put, Russia doesn't have too many SSNs they can lease. More than half of the Akula-class is under long-term modernisation. I have a feeling the money paid for that was re-routed towards the S-400 or something.

 

[GMR]

Don't worry.. we also are late in acquiring Subs.. so everybody's happy..😆

 

[Sandeep]

Currently Pakistan is learning the hard way of its weapons purchase of Chinese weapons and technology which serves them right and it's to India benefit. The Chinese exported submarine along with most of its other weapons is plagued with inferior technology, unreliability, equipment failure, low quality sensors, low grade and range torpedoes, major problems with engine, low duration AIP, poor and low duration grade batteries etc. The Chinese weapons and technology are not as good as they claim it to be and they have regular problems along with overstating its true capabilities which why even Pakistan have complained. The Chinese are also unable to provide a ready and reliable amount of spares, parts, servicing and any MRO required. Pakistan's other submarines are very old and it's technology is not fit for modern warfare so they are in a worse position than India.

Despite all of their issues and nightmares our progress on our submarine program or manufacturing and inducting them is far too slow but steady progress is being made. We are currently building 2 nuclear ballistic submarines with more on the way along with nuclear attack submarines and we have started to develop a lot of the indigenous critical technology and parts ranging from nuclear and standard diesel electric submarines, AIP, engines etc. At the same time we are trying to secure a foreign deal to manufacture some more diesel electric submarines which is taking a long time in the technology and price negotiations but hopefully they can make a deal now.

 

[Sridhar]

Pakistan will get 8 AIP equipped submarines in a while. That combined with 5 Agosta class submarines already in service brings total number if submarines to 13.

Indian Navy currently has 18 submarines including 2 nuclear SSBNs and also 3 submarines under construction. One SSN on lease.

This puts PN on a very competitive position where they will be able to hold IN on the western flank in case of a war.

IN needs to speed up development and induction of Project-75i and Project-76 submarines including at least 10 SSBNs and an equal number of SSN to keep the PLAN at bay.

The propsed SUb is still years away from operational. And Pakistan need money to run the sub. They need money for operational expenditures. So please don't be in a hurry to press doomsday bell.