China continues arming Pakistan, gives another Hangar-class submarine; second since March

Amid the brewing tensions in the Indian subcontinent, reports are emerging that China has delivered the third of the eight new “advanced” Hangor-class submarines to Pakistan. With these deliveries, China has been aiming to upgrade Islamabad’s naval strength to support its growing presence in the Indian Ocean, India’s backyard.

According to the Chinese state-run Global Times, the launching ceremony of the third Hangor-class submarine was held in Wuhan, Central China’s Hubei province, on Thursday. It is pertinent to note that the second of the eight submarines China is building for Pakistan was handed over to the country in March this year.

Additionally, China has supplied four modern naval frigates to Pakistan in the last few years. The deliveries from China are coming at a time when Beijing is aiming for a steady expansion in the Arabian Sea, where it is developing the Gwadar port in Balochistan, as well as in the Indian Ocean.

Pakistan lauds the move

While speaking at the launch ceremony of the third submarine, Pakistan’s Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Project-2 Vice Admiral Abdul Samad said the Hangor-class submarine’s cutting-edge weaponry and advanced sensors would be instrumental in sustaining regional power equilibrium and ensuring maritime stability.

According to a recent report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China supplied over 81 per cent of Pakistan’s military hardware. Some of Pakistan’s main orders in the past five years include the country’s first spy ship, the Rizwan; more than 600 VT-4 battle tanks, and 36 J-10CE 4.5-generation fighters.

China delivered the first of the multi-role J-10CE fighter jets to the Pakistan Air Force in 2022, adding to its JF-17 fighters jointly manufactured by both countries.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told The Global Times that the Hangor-class submarine is characterised by its strong underwater combat capabilities, including comprehensive sensor systems, excellent stealth characteristics, high mobility, long endurance and formidable firepower.

New Delhi will be looking at these deliveries closely since it is coming weeks after India and Pakistan engaged in a 4-day military escalation.

With inputs from PTI.