Meet The Hangor-Class Submarine China Delivered To Pakistan; Can It Survive India’s Kill Zone? | World News

Islamabad/Beijing: During a ceremony held at the WuChang Shipyard in Wuhan, China officially delivered a Hangor -class submarine to Pakistan. This delivery points to a significant development in Pakistan’s maritime modernization efforts. While the Chinese media described the submarine as a remarkable progress with strategic effects for the region, Pakistan officials presented this as an important development in maritime defense capabilities.

However, important operational questions continue to integrate the submarine into the fleet and to what extent Pakistan can use the characteristics.

The Hangor class submarine, the export variant of China’s Yuan Class Platform, is equipped with air independent drive (AIP), advanced sensors and hidden features. Although the ship has been started, it is not yet ready for war. Basic stages such as clothing, sea trials and comprehensive crew training are still necessary.

In previous supply of Chinese origin military equipment, including sparkling, surveillance ships and tanks, Pakistan faced delays and performance difficulties that slowed down the translation of assets into real ability.

Technical profile, engineering difficulties

The AIP system ensures that submarines remain under water in extended periods without surface, which is an advantage in underwater operations. The HANGOR class uses the CHD-620 engine, a reversed version of the German MTU-396 diesel engine.

Germany stopped the export of the original engine, which asked China to develop its own version. However, the CHD-620 lacks a powerful operational use other than China and remains not tested to foreign navy in long-term distribution.

Thailand’s own Yuan Class submarine project has faced long delays for more than 1,200 days due to uncertainties around the same power plant. Motor noise and reliability in submarine war are vital factors. Excessive noise or mechanical imbalance can endanger the hidden profile of a submarine.

The expanding submarine surveillance infrastructure of the Indian Navy is especially skilled in the identification of such acoustic signatures. Although AIP expands its underwater strength, it does not naturally reduce detection or eliminate regional geographical limitations.

India’s expanding sea surveillance, ASW capabilities

India is constantly building an anti -submarine war (ASW) network in the Arab Sea. This development creates important operational barriers for any Pakistan submarine distribution.

Considering the geographical location of Pakistan, submarines that leave Karachi or Ormara should travel in shallow and acoustically in noisy coastal waters, throughout the continuous monitoring areas by Indian ASW units.

During the previous tensions surrounding the Sindoor operation, Pakistan replaced sea assets close to the Iranian border or Gwadar port to prevent exposure. The Indian navy continues to strengthen maritime dominance. Shallow Water Asw Handicrafts, P-8i Poseidon Maritime Patrol Planes, MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, and Ins Arnala (June 2025) supported by Corvettes Corvettes, will be equipped with Indian detection and participation capacity.

India also used underwater sensor series and Maareech Anti-Terpedo trap system to strengthen the killing chain. These systems constitute an intensive surveillance zone that must pass if any Hangor class submarine attempts to operational distribution. This sea area awareness level offers permanent risks for Pakistan’s submarine fleet.

While Pakistan additional Hangor class continues to receive submarines, full operational preparation continues to be a future milestone in the future. When the third ship trials complete and put into service, India is expected to further reinforce the surveillance infrastructure and aggressive abilities in the Arab Sea. This developing environment emphasizes the operational challenges that Pakistan may face in effective distribution of submarine fleet.