By Liu Xuanzun

The launch ceremony of Pakistan's third Hangor-class submarine is held in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province on August 14, 2025. Photo: Screenshot from the official YouTube account of the Pakistan Navy

The Pakistan Navy announced on Friday that its third Hangor-class submarine was recently launched in China. A Chinese expert said the submarine is technologically advanced in terms of stealth, mobility, endurance and firepower, and represents a high level of China-Pakistan defense cooperation.

The launching ceremony of the third Hangor-class submarine was held in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province on Thursday, according to a statement and a video released by the Pakistan Navy on Friday.

Vice Admiral Abdul Samad, Pakistan’s Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Project-2, said in an address at the ceremony that the Hangor-class submarines’ cutting-edge weaponry and advanced sensors would be instrumental in sustaining regional power equilibrium and ensuring maritime stability, according to the Pakistani statement.

Commending the dedicated work of the Chinese side, he expressed satisfaction over steady progress of the project and remarked that the Hangor-class submarine initiative would bring a fresh dimension to the enduring, time-honored partnership between Pakistan and China.

The government of Pakistan signed an agreement with the Chinese side to acquire eight Hangor-class submarines. Under the contract, four submarines are being built in China, while the remaining four will be constructed in Pakistan at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works Ltd (KS&EW) under Transfer of Technology program, according to the Pakistan Navy release.

According to open reports, the first Hangor-class submarine was launched in April 2024, and the second in March 16 this year.

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

Noting that submarines represent a strategically significant weapons category, Zhang said that this submarine cooperation highlights a high level of strategic mutual trust and deep friendship between China and Pakistan. He added that such collaboration contributes to safeguarding maritime security as well as peace and stability in the region.

On China-Pakistan defense cooperation, Jiang Bin, a spokesperson at China’s Ministry of National Defense said on August 8 that the China-Pakistan defense and security cooperation is not targeted at any third party and is committed to maintaining international and regional security and stability.

Jiang made the remarks in response to a media inquiry about the Pakistan military’s induction of Z-10ME attack helicopters from China.

China is willing to share its achievements in equipment development with friendly countries, including Pakistan, the spokesperson said.