The third submarine in Pakistan Navy’s Hangor-class series, PNS Mangro (Desig), was launched at Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Company’s Shuangliu Base in Wuhan, China.
This event marks a significant step in the agreement between the Government of Pakistan and China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Company (CSOC) for the acquisition of eight Hangor-class submarines.
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As per the contract stipulations, half of these submarines are being constructed in China.
The other four will be built domestically at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW), facilitated by a technology transfer programme.
Reports indicate that the first submarine of this class was launched in April 2024, followed by the delivery of the second unit to Pakistan in March2025.
Deputy chief of Naval Staff Project-2 vice admiral Abdul Samad reaffirmed that the “Pakistan Navy remains fully committed to defend national interests while fostering a secure and cooperative maritime environment”.
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By GlobalDataHe also said the Hangor-class submarine’s “weaponry and advanced sensors would be instrumental in sustaining regional power equilibrium and ensuring maritime stability”.
The diesel-electric powered Hangor-class is reportedly based on China’s 039A submarine design.
It can accommodate a crew of 38 with additional capacity for eight special forces operatives and is armed with torpedoes as well as anti-ship missiles, according to The Associated Press.
Earlier in 2025, Pakistan Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) admiral Naveed Ashraf told Naval Technology that the service recently added several new vessels to its naval fleet, including Type 054 A/P frigates from China, offshore patrol vessels Batch-I and Batch-II from Romania, and a MILGEM-class corvette from Turkey.
In June 2025, the UK sold three former Royal Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion (Light) (LCAC(L)) hovercraft to the Pakistan Navy.
As per a GlobalData report, Pakistan allocated $7bn to its defence budget in 2024. Over the period from 2025 to 2029, it is projected that this budget will experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 10%.
Pakistan has seen a 61% rise in arms imports from 2015–19 to 2020–24 as it began receiving military equipment, including combat aircraft and frigates, under an extensive procurement initiative, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported.
SIPRI data shows that Pakistan represented 4.6% of global arms imports during 2020–24, ranking as the fifth largest arms importer worldwide.
Since 1990–94, China has been the predominant supplier of major arms to Pakistan. According to the SIPRI report, Chinese arms constituted 81% of Pakistan’s imports during 2020–24, an increase from 74% in the previous five-year period.
