Pakistan has launched its third Hangor-class submarine, PNS Mangro, in Wuhan. This is part of the country's biggest naval purchase program ever with China.
The Hangor project is made up of eight submarines that are based on China's Type 039A/039B Yuan-class design and were made particularly for Pakistan.The launch of the third Hangor-class submarine, PNS Mangro, at the Wuchang Shipyard in Wuhan, China, was a big step forward for the Pakistan Navy.
Under the deal approved in April 2015, four units are being built in China and four in Karachi under a technology transfer programme. The project, worth an estimated $4–5 billion, is the largest naval acquisition in Pakistan’s history.
Delivery milestones include the launch of the first submarine in April 2024, the second in March 2025, and now the third in August 2025. The remaining units are scheduled for progressive handover in the coming years, significantly boosting Pakistan’s undersea warfare capabilities.
The Hangor-class programme is also viewed through the prism of South Asia’s security competition. India has been adding nuclear-powered and diesel-electric submarines to its fleet while also strengthening its connections with the US and France at sea. Working with China helps Pakistan's navy in two ways: it makes it stronger at sea and helps balance off India's naval upgrading.
Author: Özgür Ekşi
