Pakistan Navy enhances undersea strike capability with third Hangor-class submarine PNS Mangro.

On August 15, 2025, the Pakistan Navy officially launched its third Hangor-class submarine, the future PNS/M Mangro, at the Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group’s Shuangliu base in Wuhan, China. The Hangor-class is a Pakistan-specific variant of China’s Type 039A/039B Yuan-class conventional attack submarine, ordered under a 2015 agreement. When all eight submarines are delivered, with four built in Wuhan and four at Karachi Shipyard under a transfer of technology program, they are expected to form the core of Pakistan’s modern submarine fleet and substantially expand its undersea capabilities.
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The PNS Mangro launch occurs as Pakistan continues to operate and modernize legacy French-designed submarines, including three Agosta 90B AIP boats and two Agosta 70 diesel-electric submarines. (Picture source: Pakistan Navy)

The ceremony was attended by senior officials from both Pakistan and China, including representatives from Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Company Ltd and China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Company Ltd. Vice Admiral Abdul Samad, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Project-2, presided as Chief Guest and addressed the gathering. He emphasized the role of maritime security under the current regional dynamics and reaffirmed that the Pakistan Navy is tasked with safeguarding national maritime interests while also fostering a secure environment, stating that the Hangor program would significantly contribute to the Navy’s long-term modernization. He also noted the bilateral character of the project and expressed Pakistan’s satisfaction with its progress. Pakistani officials linked the launch to a wider framework of China-Pakistan defense cooperation that has spanned decades and continues through joint shipbuilding, procurement, and technology transfer. The Navy also released official messaging through its Directorate General of Public Relations, reinforcing that the induction of Hangor-class boats is central to Pakistan’s maritime security planning.

The origins of the program date back to April 2015, when Pakistan approved the acquisition of eight submarines from China, valued at approximately $4 to $5 billion, making it one of the largest naval procurements in Pakistan’s history and China’s single biggest arms export deal at the time. This places the average unit cost at around $500 million per submarine, although some analysts suggest the actual cost may fall in the range of $250 to $325 million depending on the configuration and technology transfer arrangements. Four submarines are being constructed in Wuhan, while four are to be built at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW) under a Transfer of Technology (ToT) arrangement. According to initial schedules, four boats were planned for delivery between 2022 and 2023, with the remainder arriving by 2028. However, delays shifted this timeline, with the first submarine launched in April 2024, the second on March 16, 2025, and now the PNS/M Mangro following in August 2025. Supporting infrastructure includes the construction of a Very Low Frequency communications facility, PNS Hameed, to ensure secure command and control of the growing submarine fleet.

The Hangor-class submarines, also designated in China as the Qilin-class, are based on the Chinese Type 039A/039B Yuan lineage, believed to be derived from CSOC’s S26 export design, with technical details disclosed only in part. Available open-source information indicates a length of approximately 76 to 77.7 meters, a beam of around 8.4 to 8.6 meters, and a displacement in the range of 2,550 to 2,800 tons. The boats are designed for a crew of 38 and can carry an additional eight special forces personnel. Modular construction techniques and the use of high-strength steels have been reported, with the vessel divided into six compartments for weapons, command, living quarters, propulsion, air-independent propulsion, and shaft machinery. Chinese-supplied CHD620 diesel engines, paired with a Stirling-based Air Independent Propulsion system, are assessed to power the vessels, replacing German MTU engines originally planned but blocked by export restrictions.

In terms of weaponry, the submarines feature six 533 mm torpedo tubes located in the bow. These are capable of launching heavyweight torpedoes and anti-ship cruise missiles. Analysts have repeatedly assessed that the design is intended to deploy Pakistan’s Babur-3 submarine-launched cruise missile, which has a reported range of approximately 450 km. If integration is confirmed, this capability would provide Pakistan with an additional layer of deterrence by extending standoff strike options from a concealed undersea platform. Official statements have remained general, with references to advanced sensors and weapons enabling operations at standoff distances without specifying payloads or fire-control systems. Nevertheless, consistent reporting highlights the program’s link to Pakistan’s broader strategy of strengthening Anti-Access/Area Denial capabilities in the Arabian Sea.

Pakistan has not publicly disclosed the official range of the Hangor-class, but open-source information based on its Chinese S26 design provides estimates. With the use of its Air Independent Propulsion system, the submarine is believed to achieve around 768 nautical miles of submerged endurance, equivalent to approximately twenty days without surfacing. When operating with a combination of diesel-electric propulsion and AIP, the range is estimated at about 2,000 nautical miles, allowing for endurance of up to sixty-five days at sea. These figures are complemented by a reported maximum submerged speed of 17 knots and an operational diving depth of around 300 meters.

The Pakistan Navy’s existing submarine fleet consists of three Agosta 90B air-independent propulsion boats and two older Agosta 70 diesel-electric submarines. Since 2016, the Agosta 90B fleet has undergone an extensive mid-life upgrade led by STM of Turkey as prime contractor, with work covering the replacement of the fire control system, sonar suite, electronic warfare systems, radars, and periscopes. The first upgraded boat, PNS Hamza, was redelivered in 2020, providing enhanced systems integration while the Hangor-class project advances. This modernization ensures that Pakistan’s undersea force retains a minimum level of operational capability while awaiting the induction of the newer Chinese-origin boats.

Beyond the submarine program, China-origin ships have already become an important part of the Pakistan Navy’s surface fleet. These include F-22P frigates, Type 054A/P multi-role frigates, and missile-capable Fast Attack Craft, alongside the ongoing acquisition of Hangor-class submarines. The Type 054A/P frigates are equipped with CM-302 surface-to-surface missiles, LY-80 surface-to-air missiles, and anti-submarine warfare systems, and they were inducted between 2021 and 2023. F-22Ps have been in service since the late 2000s, forming the backbone of earlier modernization efforts. Additionally, the Navy has procured Z-9EC helicopters and other support platforms from China, broadening the scope of cooperation. The cumulative presence of these Chinese-built assets within the Pakistani fleet reflects a long-term reliance on Beijing’s defense industry and positions the Navy to operate a largely Sino-Pakistani integrated fleet structure in the coming decade.