Pakistan Inducts First Hangor-Class submarine in China, Conducts Fateh-II Missile Launch

Pakistan, on Thursday (April 30, 2026), commissioned the first China-built Hangor-class submarine into its navy, upgrading its maritime capabilities.

The submarine is part of the Pakistan-China agreement under which Islamabad would get eight Hangor-class vessels.

The submarine, a Type 039A Chinese vessel, is equipped with modern weaponry, including torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.

The vessel also features air-independent propulsion system that allows it to remain submerged underwater for longer periods, enhancing its stealth and operational reach.

The commissioning of the vessel took place at the Chinese port city of Sanya, where Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari was the chief guest, and included senior Chinese and Pakistani officials.

“The commissioning of the first Hangor-class submarine marks another chapter in the time-tested and enriching friendship between Pakistan and China,” an official statement from Pakistan said.

In his comments, Zardari called the development a “historic milestone” for Pakistan’s navy. He said the commissioning demonstrated Pakistan’s commitment to maintain a “robust, balanced, and credible defence posture.”

Pakistan remained capable of defending its sovereignty, protecting maritime interests, and securing economic lifelines, he added.

Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, in his comment, mentioned the increasing risks at key shipping choke points that could disrupt global trade and energy flows.

“The Hangor-class submarines, equipped with advanced sensors, weapons, and air-independent propulsion systems, would help preserve stability in the region and secure vital sea lanes across the Arabian Sea and the wider Indian Ocean,” he said.

The name ‘Hangor’ is historically significant for Pakistan, as it refers to the submarine that reportedly sank the Indian warship INS Khukri during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

Earlier, on Tuesday (April 28), Pakistan successfully tested the indigenous Fateh-II missile during a training launch carried out by the Army Rocket Force.

The test-firing was aimed at training troops, validating technical parameters, and evaluating the performance of various subsystems, the Pakistan military statement said.

The Fateh-II system is equipped with advanced avionics and modern navigational aids designed to improve accuracy and survivability, the statement said.

Senior officers from the Strategic Plans Division, Army Rocket Force Command, and the Pakistan Army witnessed the launch, along with scientists and engineers from strategic organisations.

Zardari joined Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir to laud the technical expertise and efforts of the teams involved.

The military statement described the test launch of Fateh-II as part of ongoing efforts to enhance operational readiness and system performance.

In September 2025, Pakistan carried out the training launch of the Fatah-IV cruise missile with a reported range of 750 kilometres.

In May 2025, the army also test-fired a surface-to-surface missile with a range of about 120 kilometers under the same series, during a period of heightened tensions with India.