Pakistan Navy is all set for a major power upgrade as eight Hangor-class submarines built by China will soon be part of its fleet.
Chief of Pakistan Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf recently said Hangor-class submarines, an export variant of China's Type 039A Yuan class, specifically designed for Pakistan, will significantly boost the naval capabilities of Pakistan.
“The project is proceeding as per the timeline. We expect that these submarines will join the Pakistan Navy fleet very soon,” Global Times quoted him as saying.
Pakistan had placed an order for eight air-independent propulsion (AIP)-equipped submarines from China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co. Ltd (CSOC) in 2015. Four of these were to be manufactured at Karachi Shipyards and Engineering Works while the rest in China.
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According to Admiral Ashraf, these submarines, equipped with the latest weapons and sensors are expected to enhance the stealth, maneuverability and firepower of the Pakistan Navy.
Capable of reaching speeds up to 20 knots underwater, the use of AIP will help the submarines to stay underwater for a longer period of time, making them tough to detect.
There has been some delay in the delivery of these submarines as Pakistan was to get the first batch by 2023. Media reports suggest that one of the reasons for the delay was Germany's refusal to approve export licenses for MTU 396 diesel engine of the submarines. It is not clear if the export licence was eventually cleared.
China has become the primary supplier of military equipment to Islamabad, including fighter jets like the JF-17, naval vessels, and missile technology even as China and Pakistan have agreed to continuously elevate cooperation in areas of joint training, exercises and military technology.
