the Pakistan Navy celebrated a significant milestone by commissioning its first Hangor-class submarine, PNS Hangor, at a ceremony in Sanya, China. President Asif Ali Zardari, who is currently on a visit to China, was the chief guest at the event, emphasizing the importance of this development in enhancing Pakistan's naval capabilities.

During his address, President Zardari characterized the commissioning as a "historic milestone" in the modernization of the Navy, underlining Pakistan's commitment to maintaining a balanced and credible defense posture. He stated that the submarine would bolster the nation's ability to defend its sovereignty and protect its maritime interests, essential for securing economic lifelines.

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf also spoke at the event, highlighting the strategic significance of the Hangor-class submarines in ensuring maritime stability. He noted that such vessels, equipped with advanced weapons, sensors, and air-independent propulsion (AIP) technology, would play a crucial role in deterring aggression and safeguarding vital Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) across the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.

The Hangor-class submarines are particularly named after the original PNS Hangor, which gained historical recognition during the 1971 Pakistan-India war as the first submarine since World War II to sink an enemy warship. Admiral Ashraf remarked that the new submarines would carry forward the legacy of PNS Hangor while modernizing Pakistan's fleet with state-of-the-art technology.

The event also saw congratulatory messages from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Chief of Defence Forces, praising the commissioning as a reflection of the deep-rooted defense cooperation between Pakistan and China. This collaboration in defense technology has been praised as an instrumental factor in enhancing Pakistan's military capabilities.

The Navy plans to induct a total of eight Hangor-class submarines, with previous launches occurring in the past few years, marking a significant expansion of Pakistan's naval forces and an era of heightened maritime security.