Pakistan eyes 2026 launch for first Chinese submarine in $5 billion arms deal

Sign up now: Get STs newsletters delivered to your inbox

BEIJING - The Pakistan Navy expects its first Chinese-designed submarine to enter active service next year, the countrys top admiral told Chinese state media, bolstering Beijings bid to counter regional rival India and project power toward the Middle East.

A deal under which Islamabad will take delivery of eight Hangor-class submarines by 2028 is progressing smoothly, Admiral Naveed Ashraf told the Global Times in an interview published on Sunday, adding the submarines would boost Pakistans ability to patrol the North Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

The update on the Chinese submarine deal follows Pakistans air force using Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets in May to shoot down an Indian Air Force Rafale aircraft, made by France.

The altercation between the nuclear-armed neighbours surprised many in the military community and raised questions over the superiority of Western hardware over Chinese alternatives.

Under the terms of the submarine agreement - reportedly worth up to $5 billion - the first four diesel-electric attack submarines will be built in China, with the remaining vessels assembled in Pakistan to improve the South Asian nations technical capabilities.

Pakistan has already launched three of the submarines into Chinas Yangtze River from a shipyard in the central province of Hubei.

Chinese-origin platforms and equipment have been reliable, technologically advanced and well-suited to Pakistan Navys operational requirements, Ashraf told the tabloid, which is published by the ruling Communist Partys Peoples Daily.

As modern warfare evolves, emerging technologies such as unmanned systems, AI and advanced electronic warfare systems are becoming increasingly important. The Pakistan Navy is focusing on these technologies and exploring collaboration with China, Ashraf was also quoted as saying.

Islamabad has long been Beijings top