Key Points
- Newly inducted submarine conducts first live missile firing
- Anti-ship cruise missile accurately hits designated target
- Naval chief highlights subsurface capability for maritime deterrence
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Navy’s newly inducted submarine PNS/M Hangor has successfully conducted its maiden live weapon firing in the North Arabian Sea, accurately engaging a designated long-range target with an anti-ship cruise missile, the military said on Sunday.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf witnessed the firing, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
“In a major demonstration of operational readiness, Pakistan Navy’s newly inducted submarine PNS/M HANGOR successfully conducted its maiden Live Weapon Firing in the North Arabian Sea, accurately engaging a designated long-range target with an anti-ship cruise missile,” the ISPR stated.
Milestone for Pakistan Navy
The successful firing demonstrated the submarine’s operational readiness and combat capability, while marking a significant milestone in the Navy’s induction of the Hangor-class submarine into its fleet.
Admiral Ashraf praised the submarine’s combat capabilities and emphasised the strategic importance of strengthening Pakistan’s subsurface warfare capabilities to maintain credible maritime deterrence.
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The Pakistan Navy said the exercise reflected its focus on maintaining a modern and combat-ready force capable of safeguarding the country’s maritime frontiers.
The milestone underscores the Navy’s commitment to maintaining a modern, combat-ready force to safeguard national maritime frontiers and regional peace, it added.
“It is Pakistan’s fourth class of submarine that carries a cruise missile,” said security analyst Syed Muhammad Ali.
The first was the Daphme class, followed by the Agusta-70 class, which included the Hashmat and Hurmut submarines; next came the Khalid class (Agusta-90 model), which included three Saad, Hamza and Khalid submarines; all were capable of carrying and firing cruise missiles from underwater.
“Now it is the fourth and latest class, equipped with the latest Chinese propulsion system that can stay underwater for weeks,” he said. “The latest Hangor-class submarine carried out the live missile test from underwater,” he added. Pakistan Navy would have eight submarines of the latest Hangor class
The Navy also said the development was part of its efforts to strengthen maritime security and contribute to regional peace.
