Hangor-class submarine

In the early 2000's, the Pakistan Navy approached multiple naval conglomerates - including DCNS Marlin and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), seeking to purchase a series of conventionally-powered submarines, aiming to augment its existing fleet of the French-origin Agosta-class submarines.[11]

In 2008, the Pakistan Navy selected the Type 214 submarine, designed by TKMS; both parties subsequently initiated negotiations for the purchase of three submarines, at an estimated cost of $1 billion.[12] However, the 2009 financial crisis hampered the procurement plans; the deal was later scrapped due to a lack of public funds.[13]

In 2011, Pakistan initiated negotiations with China Shipbuilding & Offshore International (CSOC), seeking to "jointly design and build" six conventionally-powered, AIP-equipped submarines; although no details were ever revealed about the specific type of submarines contemplated, it is widely believed the Type 039A/041 submarine (Yuan-class) was under consideration.[14]

In April 2015, the Government of Pakistan reportedly approved the purchase of eight Chinese-origin submarines; the deal was finalized in July 2015 and was sent to the Chinese government for approval.[15]

In April 2016, the Pakistan Navy announced that the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) had secured a contract to construct four of the eight designated submarines, equipped with AIP systems.[16]

In October 2016, the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) officially confirmed that it had been contracted to supply eight attack-submarines to the Pakistan Navy; however, the submarine type was not revealed, although it is widely believed that the submarines-in-question may be of the "S20" design, an export-centric version of the Type 039B submarines.[17] According to CSIC officials, the first submarine would be delivered in 2022, with a subsequent three delivered by the end of 2023; the final four submarines would be built by KSEW, with a scheduled delivery by the end of 2028.[18] The total cost of the deal was estimated at USD $4-5 billion - with an estimated $500 million per submarine, although other sources place their estimates at $250-325 million per submarine.[19]

In January 2017, Muhammad Zakaullah, the-then chief of the Pakistan Navy, announced that the eight Type 039B submarines would be christened as the Hangor-class, in honor of PNS Hangor (S131) - a former Daphné-class submarine of the Pakistan Navy, renowned for having sunk INS Khukri, a former Blackwood-class frigate of the Indian Navy, during the Indo-Pakistani Naval War of 1971; this event is also historically significant as the first submarine kill following the Second World War.[20]

Apart from the lead vessel, the names' of the remaining submarines were never publicized, although in December 2021, the Pakistan Navy revealed that it had christened the fifth submarine of the class as the Tasnim, after former-Vice Admiral Ahmad Tasnim - a Pakistani naval officer renowned for having commanded the original PNS Hangor (S131), which torpedoed INS Khukri.[21]

In 2015, OSINT satellite-imagery revealed that KSEW had established a string of infrastructure units at its Karachi-based shipyard, adjacent to the Pakistan Naval Dockyard, for the construction of its four submarines; earlier reports erroneously claimed that the submarines may be built at Ormara, Pakistan.[22] The new facilities at Karachi reportedly include a "twin-lane" construction hall - capable of simultaneously constructing two submarines, a new Syncrolift drydock - with an estimated lifting capacity of 7,881 t (7,757 long tons) and new berthing facilities.[23]

In October 2020, Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, the-then outgoing-chief of the Pakistan Navy, disclosed that the Pakistan Navy would acquire one Type 039A submarine from the People’s Liberation Army Navy for training and acclimation purposes, on a “gratis basis,” i.e., at no additional charge.[24]

The progress of the class' construction was never publicized by the Pakistan Navy, although in December 2021, KSEW announced that it had conducted a "steel-cutting" ceremony for the fifth submarine of the class, christened as the Tasnim.[25]

The Hangor-class is reportedly based on the "S26" submarine design - developed by the China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Company (CSOC); the "S26" is purportedly an AIP-equipped variant of the "S20" submarine design, which in turn, is actually an export model of the Type 039B submarine - operated by the People's Liberation Army Navy.[26]

The S20 was first unveiled by CSOC at the "2013 International Defence Exhibition & Conference" (IDEX-2013), as an export-centric submarine design for foreign navies; the design appeared to particularly similar to the Type 039A/041 submarines.[27]

Similarities :- Little is currently known about the class' characteristics; nevertheless, the submarines are believed to possess the following features :-

• The class is believed to utilize the Stirling-cycle AIP system, given its alikeness to the S26 design, which utilizes the same system.[28]

• Resembling the S26 design, the class features six 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes capable of launching heavyweight torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.[29]

Differences :- At the "2018 International Defence Exhibition and Seminar" (IDEAS), held at Karachi, Pakistan, KSEW unveiled a scale mock-up of the Hangor-class submarine along with some of its specifications; its design was noticeably divergent to the S26 design in the following parameters :-[30]

• The Hangor-class submarine measures at a length of 76 m (249 ft 4 in), compared to the S26's length of 77.7 m (254 ft 11 in).
• The Hangor-class features an approximate displacement of 2,800 t (2,800 long tons), compared to the S26's approximate displacement of 2,550 t (2,510 long tons).

Little is known about the class' specifications, including its arsenal; however, the design features six 533mm torpedo tubes, which may be utilized with the following weaponry :-

• Heavyweight torpedoes :- Most likely the Yu-6 heavyweight torpedoes.
• Anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) :- Most likely the Pakistani-origin Babur-3 SLCM, or possibly the Chinese-origin CM-708UNB, or the YJ-82.[31]

According to multiple sources, the Hangor-class submarines may utilized for the following roles :-

• Establishment of the sea-based arm of Pakistan's nuclear second-strike triad.[32]
• Undertake anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) duties, for littoral protection.[33]