KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: The first PN Hangor Class submarine, PNS/M Hangor, has arrived in Karachi. The submarine was accorded a traditional naval welcome attended by senior naval officers, families of the crew, and Pakistan Navy personnel.
Cadets of the Pakistan Naval Academy presented a ceremonial salute to the incoming submarine and its crew, accompanied by a fly-past by PN Z9EC helicopters, said a press release issued by the Pakistan Navy’s Directorate General Public Relations on Thursday. Upon arrival, a reception ceremony was held at Pakistan Navy Dockyard. Commander Pakistan Fleet Vice Admiral Abdul Munib graced the occasion as the chief guest.
PNS/M Hangor is equipped with advanced combat systems, modern sensors, Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, and enhanced stealth features, which will augment Pakistan Navy’s combat capability.
The arrival of PNS/M Hangor marks a transformative step towards the Pakistan Navy’s modernisation and reflects the strong strategic defence cooperation between Pakistan and China. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the Pakistan Navy on the arrival of the PNS/M Hangor submarine in Pakistan, describing the project as a symbol of the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier said the Hangor submarine project reflects the strong strategic cooperation between Pakistan and China in the defence sector.
He said the induction of PNS/M Hangor would significantly enhance the Pakistan Navy’s defence capabilities and strengthen its ability to safeguard the country’s maritime interests and sea borders.
The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to promoting peace, stability and strategic balance in the region while continuing to strengthen its defence capabilities. He termed the Hangor submarine project an important milestone in Pakistan’s journey towards defence self-reliance and indigenous capability development. He said the government would continue to provide all possible resources for enhancing the operational preparedness of Pakistan’s armed forces and developing capabilities in line with modern defence requirements.
The prime minister also commended the Pakistan Navy, engineers and all technical experts associated with the project for their professionalism and dedication in bringing the submarine to Pakistan.
