SANYA — Pakistan commissioned its first Chinese-built Hangor-class submarine, PNS/M Hangor, during a ceremony in Sanya in 2026, attended by President Asif Ali Zardari and Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf. The vessel was launched in 2024 and commissioned in 2026.

Pakistan plans to acquire eight Hangor-class submarines, four built in China and four domestically under a technology-transfer program. The acquisition aims to strengthen maritime security and safeguard sea lines of communication following rising tensions and recent missile tests.

The Hangor class is an export variant of China's Yuan-class design, equipped with air-independent propulsion, advanced sensors and modern weapons. The Nuclear Threat Initiative noted in September 2024 that the submarines carry 53-millimeter torpedo tubes that enable the launch of Chinese Yu-6 heavy torpedoes and anti-ship cruise missiles.

The operational role of the submarines is to enhance Pakistan's underwater deterrence and support a sea-denial approach to offset India's larger naval forces in the Indian Ocean. Rajeswari Rajagopalan and Linus Cohen noted in a June 2025 report that India operates 16 submarines compared to Pakistan's five, 15 frigates versus Pakistan's 11, and 12 destroyers versus Pakistan's zero. They also noted that India has two aircraft carriers and two nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, which Pakistan does not possess.

Saad Riaz wrote in January 2026 that acquiring the submarines is important for deterring India's expanding naval footprint and sub-surface capabilities in the Indian Ocean region. Riaz said the strategy focuses on offsetting structural naval disadvantages rather than achieving parity with India.

Namita Barthwal wrote in January 2026 that the Hangor class represents an incremental capability gain rather than a decisive shift in the naval balance. Barthwal said replacing older submarines and increasing patrol frequency could allow Pakistan to monitor Indian ships more regularly during peacetime, keep India uncertain during crises, and threaten sea routes near Indian ports and naval bases. She said the strategy would be especially effective if supported by Chinese training, spare parts, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and lifecycle support.

The program expands a Pakistan–China defense partnership that has included earlier transfers of J-10C fighter jets. According to SIPRI data covering 2021 to 2025, China was the fifth-largest arms exporter, accounting for 5.6% of the global arms trade, and Pakistan accounted for 61% of Chinese arms sales during that period.