China powers up Pakistan’s navy once more, third Hangor-Class Submarine delivered
China has reportedly delivered a 3rd high-tech submarine to Pakistan as a part of an ongoing army deal.
In a step that may be seen in direction of deepening army ties with Pakistan, China has reportedly delivered the third of eight deliberate Hangor-class submarines. The launch ceremony for the vessel was held in Wuhan, in China’s Hubei province, in line with the state-run World Occasions. The switch is a part of a defence settlement between the 2 international locations, which incorporates the development and supply of a complete of eight submarines, 4 to be inbuilt China and the remaining 4 in Pakistan. The second submarine beneath the identical class was delivered earlier in March 2025.
Pakistan and China’s rising army parternship
The continued supply of Hangor-class submarines exhibits China’s strategic intent to equip Pakistan with superior naval capabilities. Beijing’s involvement within the growth of Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, a crucial part of the China-Pakistan Financial Hall (CPEC), provides China a direct foothold within the Arabian Sea.
Mixed with superior submarine and frigate deliveries, it marks a deliberate try and challenge affect into India’s maritime neighbourhood. Talking on the launch occasion, Vice Admiral Abdul Samad, Pakistan’s Deputy Chief of Naval Employees (Undertaking-2), stated that the Hangor-class submarines are very important for sustaining “regional energy equilibrium.” He stated the submarines come geared up with trendy weapon programs and superior sensors that may guarantee maritime stability and improve deterrence.
Army analysts describe the Hangor-class submarines as stealthy and highly effective underwater platforms able to prolonged operations. Chinese language naval skilled Zhang Junshe famous that these vessels have “complete sensor suites, glorious mobility, lengthy endurance, and potent firepower,” making them among the many most superior diesel-electric submarines within the area.
China: Pak’s main defence provider
In keeping with a report by the Stockholm Worldwide Peace Analysis Institute (SIPRI), over 81% of Pakistan’s army imports in recent times have come from China. These embody not simply submarines, but in addition 4 trendy naval frigates, greater than 600 VT-4 battle tanks, and the supply of 36 J-10CE fighter plane, Pakistan’s most superior jets after the JF-17s, that are co-produced with China.
In 2022, Pakistan acquired its first batch of J-10CE fighters, and in addition its first-ever spy ship, Rizwan, each courtesy of Chinese language manufacturing. The most recent submarine supply comes solely weeks after India’s precision strike on terror-hub Pakistan.
