PNS Hangor diesel-electric submarine, the lead ship in a class of eight, built by China, has been commissioned into service in a ceremony held at Sanya.
Pakistan’s first new Hangor-class submarine, based on Type 039A of PLAN, has been commissioned, an important step by the Pakistani Navy in terms of modernising its submarine fleet as well as expanding the reach of its submarine fleet.
Pakistan’s submarine fleet has consisted of three Agosta 90B and two Agosta 70 submarines from France, as well as three Cosmos-class midget submarines from Italy. Compared to the Agosta series submarines, the Hangor-class is a larger design sporting improved endurance and increased weapons load.
Eight Hangor-class submarines will be built, with a four-ship batch being built in China and the rest to be built in Pakistan (Karachi Shipyard).
Hangor-class is understood to have a Stirling-type AIP system using stored liquid oxygen, which is an earlier type compared to fuel cell-based systems but offers simplicity.
In terms of armament, the Hangor-class is expected to feature the Babur-3 cruise missile, which can be fitted with a conventional or nuclear warhead. Babur-3 was previously tested from underwater in 2017; the test images suggest launch via torpedo tubes widely utilised by cruise missiles of the same class.
