Newly inducted Hangor-class submarine conducts maiden live weapon firing in Arabian Sea: ISPR

On Sunday, Pakistan's first Hangor-class submarine successfully performed its maiden live weapon firing in the Arabian Sea, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The submarine's arrival in Karachi Port in June marked a significant milestone in deepening strategic defense cooperation between Pakistan and China.

Described as a "major demonstration of operational readiness," ISPR emphasized that the newly inducted PNS/M HANGOR accurately targeted a long-range designated objective with an anti-ship cruise missile during the exercise. Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Naval Staff, was present to witness the firing, lauding the submarine's combat power and stressing the strategic importance of upgrading subsurface capabilities for credible maritime deterrence.

PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the Pakistan Navy and its leadership on the successful live weapon firing, praising the submarine's striking of a long-range target with an anti-ship cruise missile. The premier reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring the armed forces' readiness to address national security challenges and commended the naval chief and personnel involved in the submarine's induction and operationalisation.

The Pakistan Navy plans to commission a total of eight Hangor-class submarines, each equipped with advanced combat systems, modern sensors, Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, and enhanced stealth features to bolster the navy's combat capabilities. The name Hangor carries historical significance in Pakistan's naval past, as the PNS Hangor was the first submarine since WWII to sink a warship during the 1971 Pakistan-India war, specifically sinking the Indian frigate INS Khukri.

The first Hangor-class submarine was launched in China in April 2024, with subsequent launches occurring on March 15, August 15, and December 17, 2025. In April 2025, the Pakistan Navy successfully tested an indigenously developed Anti-Ship Weapon System, Taimoor. Additionally, in the same month, the navy fired a locally developed anti-ship ballistic missile to engage targets at extended ranges, showcasing the Pakistan Navy's preparedness and precision-strike capabilities.