ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Navy bolstered up its maritime defence with the commissioning of first HANGOR class submarine in China on Thursday. The commissioning ceremony of PNS/M HANGOR was held at Sanya, China.
President Asif Ali Zardari graced the occasion as the chief guest and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf was also present at the ceremony.
President Zardari described the commissioning of HANGOR as a historic milestone in Pakistan Navy’s modernisation, affirming Pakistan’s resolve to maintain a robust, balanced and credible defence posture. He said that Pakistan is fully capable of defending its sovereignty, protecting its maritime interests and ensuring the security of its economic lifelines.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf highlighted that disruptions at critical maritime chokepoints increasingly threaten global trade and energy security, and maintaining a stable, rule-based maritime order demands technologically advanced naval forces.
He said that HANGOR Class Submarines -- armed with state-of-the-art weapons, advanced sensors and Air Independent Propulsion -- will be key in preserving maritime order and stability in the region. These submarines will play a pivotal role in deterring aggression and ensuring security of vital Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) across the Arabian Sea and the wider Indian Ocean region.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir congratulated the entire nation and the Pakistan Navy on achieving this historic milestone.
