Thailand’s Caution Rings True As Pakistan Bets On China’s Unproven Hangor-Class Submarines | World News

China recently delivered the third of the eight new Hangor class submarines to Pakistan, and the Beijing expanded the footprint in the Indian Ocean and increased the maritime power of Islamabad, and the Indian strategic backyard. The submarine reported that Global Times, operated by the state, was released in Wuhan, Hubei. The second ship was delivered in March. Pakistan also has also developed four modern Chinese frigates in recent years as well as developing the Gwadar port in Beijing’s Arab Sea.

Admiral Abdul Samad, Vice President of Marine Personnel of Pakistan, said that the Hangor class submarine, which is equipped with advanced sensors and weapons, will help to protect the “regional balance balance ve and ensure sea security.

Heavy trust in Chinese arms

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China has achieved more than 81% of Pakistan’s arms in the last five years. Key purchases include Rizwan Spy Ship, more than 600 VT-4 war tanks, and Pakistan’s 36 J-10 fighter aircraft used in conflicts with India.

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Hangor class capabilities

Chinese experts describe the Hangor class as a secret platform with long durability, high mobility and powerful underwater war capabilities. The Hangor class submarine, an export variant of the people of the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) Type 039B Yuan class submarines, is a product of the agreement signed during the visit of President Xi Jinping during April 2015.

This new attack submarine built by China’s Wuhang shipyard in Wuhan is PNS/M Shushuk, the second of the eight Hangor class SSK, built by China and Pakistan for the Pakistan navy. This is a common partnership between the Chinese ship construction industry company. pic.twitter.com/uw4kgrztda– Eurasia Deniz İçgörü (@eurasianaval) 1 July 2025

Technology and Local Construction Transfer

According to this agreement, Pakistan signed a contract with China for eight submarines to be built in China, and the remaining four would be built by Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Affairs Ltd (KS & EW) under the transfer of technology (TOT) regulation.

Weaknesses against India’s ASW capabilities

However, Hangor -class submarines built by China for Pakistan are faced with potential weaknesses against Indian anti -submarin war (ASW) capabilities in areas such as underwater strength and hidden due to their confidence in old technologies compared to some Indian submarine platforms.

Also read: Pakistan’s CPEC-II.

Delays and war management system problems

Pakistan’s trust in China for technology and construction makes the program sensitive to changes in China’s strategic priorities. Hangor Class submarines experienced delays in delivery due to problems with the war management system (CMS). The first plan delivered the first four submarines between 2022 and 2023, but only one was initiated for sea trials and none of them have been assigned to date. CMS, which is very important to coordinate sensors and weapons, faced integration difficulties and potential incompatibility with Pakistan’s current systems.

Motor problems: German withdrawal and Chinese alternatives

Germany’s refusal to provide Rolls-Royce MTU396 diesel engines, initially delayed the project and forced Pakistan to use China-made CHD620 engines. The construction of the eight submarines was significantly affected by these issues and led to a reviewed program. Thailand also had to abandon the purchase of these submarines due to the lack of German engines.

Thailand’s submarine dilemma

In 2017, the first contract was framed between China and Thailand to buy the S26T Yuan Class submarine with German-Origin MTU-396 diesel engines. However, the withdrawal of Germany from the agreement triggered complications by referring to policy restrictions on using its engines.

Beijing proposed a domestic reserve in China, which provides reversal engineering CHD620 engines from China’s state -made submarine manufacturer. The CHD620 engine is a version of Chinese produced by the German MTU396 engine produced under license. However, Thailand rejected the Chinese engine because of concerns about quality.

However, new reports show that the Thai Ministry of Defense decides to reversed its previous decision and “accepting it in principle to continue its purchase of S26T. The submarine will now be delivered with a “unproven olu Chinese engine despite the previous reservations of the Thai government. In addition to Bangkok’s problems, the first submarines are not expected to be delivered by 2027.

Regional difficulties with Chinese submarines

In the region, navy, which bought Chinese submarines such as Bangladesh’s renewed Ming class and the old designs of Myanmar, faced maintenance and performance difficulties. The engine is not only a piece of machine, but the life line of a submarine. If this is in danger, a sword of uncertainty is hung above his performance in a war scenario and always threatens his effectiveness.

Risks for Pakistan

Pakistan, as seen during the Sindoor operation of Pakistan, is increasing maritime security by increasing weapons systems with unproven technology that has been completely unsuccessful against Indian missiles and air defense systems.