KARACHI: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari formally commissioned the first Hangor Class submarine, PNS/M HANGOR, in a ceremony held in Sanya, China, with the presence of Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of Naval Staff, and other senior officials. President Zardari described this event as a groundbreaking achievement in the ongoing modernization of the Pakistan Navy.
According to an ISPR statement issued from Rawalpindi on Thursday, President Zardari emphasized that the commissioning of HANGOR signifies a significant milestone in strengthening Pakistan’s naval capabilities. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining a resilient, credible defense posture capable of safeguarding sovereignty, maritime interests, and vital economic routes.
Admiral Ashraf highlighted the growing threats posed by disruptions at key maritime choke points, which endanger global trade and energy security. He noted that maintaining regional stability and maritime order requires technologically advanced naval assets. The new HANGOR submarines, equipped with modern weaponry, sophisticated sensors, and Air Independent Propulsion (AIP), are vital to ensuring regional maritime security.
The submarines are expected to serve as a deterrent against potential aggression and to secure the Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) across the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. President Zardari, during the commissioning, reaffirmed that sustained stability depends on strong deterrence, and the addition of these submarines significantly enhances Pakistan’s maritime defense.
The President also paid tribute to the historic legacy of the Hangor name, recalling that the original HANGOR submarines played a crucial role in 1971 as the first since World War II to sink an enemy warship. The new PNS/M HANGOR aims to carry forward this proud legacy and is a testament to Pakistan’s commitment to modernizing its naval fleet with advanced technology.
This milestone also marks a deepening of the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, reflecting the longstanding friendship between the two nations. The commissioning ceremony was attended by senior officials from both the Pakistan Navy and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy).
Pakistani Prime Minister, Army Chief of Staff, and Chief of the Defense Forces have extended their congratulations to the nation and the navy on achieving this historic development, marking a new chapter in Pakistan’s maritime defense capabilities.
