Pakistan’s First Hangor-Class Submarine Conducts Maiden Live Firing in the North Arabian Sea, a Milestone for the 8-Boat Program
Quick take: The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistan military’s media wing, announced on September 27, 2026, that PNS/M HANGOR, the first boat in an eight-submarine program acquired from China, had successfully completed its maiden live firing of an anti-ship cruise missile against a long-range target in the North Arabian Sea. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf personally witnessed the test at sea.
The Test in the North Arabian Sea
According to ISPR, HANGOR engaged the designated long-range target with precision, validating its weapon systems, combat readiness and operational effectiveness. Admiral Ashraf commended the submarine’s demonstrated performance.
PNS/M HANGOR was commissioned in April 2026 at a ceremony in Sanya, China, and reached Karachi on June 11 following its delivery voyage, joining the Navy’s operational fleet.
First of an Eight-Boat Program
Hangor-class submarines are built as the export variant of the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s Type 039B Yuan-class design. Pakistan approved the purchase of eight submarines from China in 2015, and PNS/M HANGOR is the first boat from that program to enter service.
The remaining seven submarines are expected to be delivered in stages. Once complete, the program will significantly strengthen the Pakistan Navy’s underwater capability with a modern, air-independent propulsion-equipped fleet.
A Name With History From 1971
The name HANGOR carries particular weight in Pakistan’s naval history. During the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the original PNS Hangor sank the Indian frigate INS Khukri, becoming the first submarine since the Second World War to sink a warship in combat. Naming the new boat after that vessel is a symbolic nod to that operational legacy.
Two Parallel Tracks in Pakistan’s Naval Modernization
While the Hangor program advances Pakistan’s underwater capability through cooperation with China, the country’s surface fleet modernization runs on a separate track through close cooperation with Turkey. The STM-led MİLGEM/Babur-class corvette program continues as a distinct effort strengthening the Pakistan Navy’s surface fleet. In that sense, Pakistan is running its submarine and surface-ship modernization simultaneously through two different supplier tracks.
That parallel structure reflects the underwater leg of Pakistan’s broader strategy of modernizing its navy without depending on a single country.
Why It Matters
The maiden live firing is the first concrete proof that the Hangor class is not just delivered hardware but operationally capable of employing its weapon systems. That sets a reference point for the delivery schedule of the remaining seven boats.
Regionally, the growth of a modern, air-independent propulsion submarine fleet in the Indian Ocean is being watched closely as a development that directly affects the underwater capability balance in South Asia.
Sources
- Naval News, “Pakistan Navy’s First Hangor-class Submarine Performs First Live Firing in North Arabian Sea,” September 28, 2026, navalnews.com — used to confirm the test and its technical framing.
- Radio Pakistan, “PNS/M HANGOR conducts maiden live weapon firing,” September 27, 2026, radio.gov.pk — used for the ISPR statement, date and Admiral Ashraf’s attendance.
- Janes, “Pakistan’s first Hangor-class submarine conducts maiden anti-ship missile firing,” September 2026, janes.com — used for program scope (eight submarines, Type 039B Yuan export variant).
