Pakistan Targets 2026 Debut for Chinese-Built Sub in $5B Naval Upgrade
Pakistan’s Navy anticipates commissioning its inaugural Chinese-designed Hangor-class submarine in 2026, Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf revealed in a Global Times interview, advancing a $5 billion pact to acquire eight vessels by 2028 and fortify patrols in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean amid tensions with India. The diesel-electric subs, equipped with air-independent propulsion for stealthy operations, will see the first four constructed in China—three already launched on the Yangtze River—while the rest are built locally to hone Islamabad’s expertise. Ashraf lauded Chinese gear as “reliable and advanced,” signaling deeper ties in AI, drones, and electronic warfare. This follows May’s border clash, where Pakistani J-10 jets downed at least one Indian Rafale, spotlighting Beijing’s edge over Western tech and spurring questions on hardware superiority. Pakistan, absorbing over 60% of China’s arms exports from 2020-2024 per SIPRI, integrates this into the $60B CPEC corridor, securing energy routes via Gwadar and encircling India through regional alliances. India counters with three homegrown nuclear subs and diesel fleets from France, Germany, and Russia.