Pakistan Navy chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf has said that the Hangor-class submarine project with China is progressing smoothly, and the first batch of submarines will be inducted into the Pakistan Navy in 2026.
In an exclusive interview with Chinese state media, Admiral Ashraf highlighted the expanding scope of China-Pakistan naval cooperation, including joint production of submarines and advanced warships designed to enhance regional maritime security.
A deal under which Islamabad will take delivery of eight Hangor-class submarines by 2028 is "progressing smoothly," Admiral Naveed Ashraf told the Global Times in an interview published on Sunday, adding the submarines would boost Pakistan's ability to patrol the North Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
The update on the Chinese submarine deal follows Pakistan's air force using Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets in May to shoot down an Indian Air Force Rafale aircraft, made by France.
Under the terms of the submarine agreement - reportedly worth up to $5 billion - the first four diesel-electric attack submarines will be built in China, with the remaining vessels assembled in Pakistan to improve the South Asian nation's technical capabilities.
Pakistan has already launched three of the submarines into China's Yangtze River from a shipyard in the central province of Hubei.
"Chinese-origin platforms and equipment have been reliable, technologically advanced and well-suited to Pakistan Navy's operational requirements," Ashraf told the tabloid.
“The Hangor-class submarines will significantly enhance the operational strength of the Pakistan Navy,” he said, confirming that the first batch will join the fleet in 2026.
Type 054A/P frigates strengthen regional security
The naval chief also lauded the Type 054A/P frigates as a significant achievement in China-Pakistan defense collaboration. These multi-role warships, equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and weapon systems, are already playing a key role in ensuring maritime security across the Indian Ocean.
“These ships have enhanced the Pakistan Navy’s operational capabilities and are helping maintain stability and safety in vital sea lanes,” he said.
Focus on AI, electronic warfare
"As modern warfare evolves, emerging technologies such as unmanned systems, AI and advanced electronic warfare systems are becoming increasingly important. The Pakistan Navy is focusing on these technologies and exploring collaboration with China," Ashraf was also quoted as saying.
He said the project represents a major milestone in Pakistan’s naval modernization program, aimed at improving undersea warfare capability and ensuring defense preparedness in the region.
Future of Pakistan-China naval cooperation
"This cooperation (with China) goes beyond hardware; it reflects a shared strategic outlook, mutual trust, and a long-standing partnership," Ashraf said.
"In the coming decade, we expect this relationship to grow, encompassing not only shipbuilding and training, but also enhanced interoperability, research, technology sharing and industrial collaboration."
Billion-dollar build up
Along with billions in arms sales, Beijing has heavily invested in building out its connections to the Arabian Sea through a 3,000 km (1864.11 miles) economic corridor stretching from China's Xinjiang to Pakistan's deep-water port of Gwadar.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, part of President Xi Jinping's flagship 'Belt and Road' infrastructure initiative, aims to secure a route for the world's largest energy importer to bring in supplies from the Middle East, bypassing the Straits of Malacca — a strategic chokepoint between Malaysia and Indonesia that could be blocked in wartime.
The initiative also extends China's sphere of influence toward Afghanistan and Iran and onto Central Asia, and effectively encircles India, given Beijing's ties to the junta in Myanmar and good relations with Bangladesh.
