Pakistan PNS Hangor commissioned but delays and dependency cast a shadow over new submarines

Eight submarines promise reach, but timelines remain murky

Pakistan commissioned PNS Hangor on 30 April 2026 in Sanya, China, a first operational milestone for a submarine programme built with Chinese collaboration. Designed to extend underwater endurance and complicate India’s calculus in the Arabian Sea, the project still faces repeated delays and lingering doubts, raising questions about timelines and reliance on external support.