Pakistan Commissions First Chinese Attack Submarine in Defense Cooperation Milestone

Pakistan Navy commissioned its first Chinese-built Hangor-class attack submarine, named PNS/M Hangor, at a ceremony held Thursday in Sanya on Hainan Island, China. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and naval chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf attended the ceremony alongside senior Chinese officials. Pakistani officials described the commissioning as a historic milestone marking deepening defense cooperation between Beijing and Islamabad. The submarine delivery comes amid regional security concerns and represents a significant expansion of Pakistan's naval capabilities through Chinese military technology.

Pakistan's Acquisition of Chinese Hangor-class Submarines

• ▪Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari attended the commissioning ceremony for the PNS/M Hangor submarine.
• ▪The first Hangor-class submarine received by Pakistan was named PNS/M Hangor.
• ▪Pakistan naval chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf attended the commissioning ceremony for the PNS/M Hangor submarine.
• ▪The Pakistan Navy received the first Chinese-built Hangor-class attack submarine.
• ▪A commissioning ceremony for the PNS/M Hangor submarine was held in the Chinese city of Sanya on Hainan Island on Thursday.

Pakistan-China Defense Cooperation and Strategic Partnership

• ▪Senior officials from both Pakistan and China attended the PNS/M Hangor commissioning ceremony.
• ▪Beijing and Islamabad are stepping up defense cooperation.

Perspective of Pakistan officials

• ▪Pakistani officials described the commissioning of the first Hangor-class submarine as a historic milestone.
• ▪The Hangor-class submarine commissioning represents deepening defense cooperation between Pakistan and China according to Pakistani officials.

Perspective of Regional security observers

• ▪The Pakistan-China submarine deal raises regional security concerns according to observers.

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