Karachi, In a significant step towards self-reliance in naval capabilities, the Pakistan Navy celebrated the keel laying of the second HANGOR Class Submarine at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS and EW). The ceremony, marked by the presence of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf as the chief guest, underscores Pakistan’s commitment to indigenization in defense production, in collaboration with China.

According to Pakistan Navy, this milestone is part of a defense agreement between Pakistan and China, aiming for the development of eight HANGOR Class Submarines. Four of these submarines are being constructed at Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry in China, while the remainder, including the recently celebrated keel laying, are being built at KS and EW under a Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement. This initiative not only represents a significant advancement in Pakistan’s indigenous submarine development project but also highlights the strategic defense collaboration between Pakistan and China.

Admiral Naveed Ashraf expressed pride in the progress of the HANGOR Class Submarine project and praised the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Defence Production, Pakistan Navy, KS and EW, and China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Co. Ltd (M/s CSOC). He emphasized indigenization as a pivotal aspect of Naval Headquarters’ policy, demonstrated through the construction of state-of-the-art submarines in Pakistan.

The Managing Director of KS and EW, Rear Admiral Salman Ilyas, echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the shipyard’s alignment with the government and Pakistan Navy’s goals towards achieving self-reliance in submarine construction. He extended gratitude towards the Ministry of Defense Production and Pakistan Navy for their support and cooperation in various projects.

The ceremony attracted representatives from the Embassy of China, M/s CSOC, M/s WSIG (China), and other high-ranking officials from the government, Ministry of Defence Production, and armed forces of Pakistan, celebrating a significant achievement in Pakistan’s naval defense capabilities and its ongoing partnership with China.