ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Pakistan Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, has said this month eight Hangor-class submarines built for Pakistan by China would be included in the South Asian country’s fleet “very soon.”
The joint construction of eight Hangor-class submarines is a key project in China-Pakistan naval cooperation. This type of submarine is equipped with the latest weapons and sensors and with an air independent propulsion (AIP) system on board, the submarine has significantly enhanced submerged endurance capabilities.
Pakistan signed a contract with China to procure eight Hangor-class conventional submarines in 2015, with the first four to be constructed by China and the other four to be assembled by Pakistan under a technology transfer agreement. The plan was that Pakistan will obtain the eight advanced submarines between 2022 and 2028. In December 2021, the fifth Hangor-class conventional submarine, also the first one built in Pakistan, officially received a steel cutting ceremony.
In an interview to China’s Global Times newspaper this month, Ashraf said the Hangor-class submarines would “significantly enhance” Pakistan’s naval capabilities, improving stealth, maneuverability and firepower.
“The project is proceeding as per the timeline. We expect that these submarines will join the Pakistan Navy fleet very soon,” Ashraf said.
The initial Hangor delivery timetable would have seen the four Chinese-built submarines delivered by 2023. But there have been widespread reports that Germany had refused to approve export licenses for its MTU 396 diesel engine, which the submarine was designed to use. The German government had also declined to grant export licenses for its engines in regard to Thailand’s order of the S-26T, a variant of the Chinese Type 039B submarine. The Thai deal eventually fell through.
Neither Germany nor Pakistan have confirmed whether export clearance was ultimately approved or denied.
When Pakistan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) ordered the eight submarines from China in 2015 at an approximate cost of $4–5 billion, it was the largest arms export contract in China’s military history.
Eight Chinese Hangor submarines to enter Pakistan fleet ‘very soon’— naval chief
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Eight Chinese Hangor submarines to enter Pakistan fleet ‘very soon’— naval chief
- Joint construction of eight Hangor-class submarines is key project in China-Pakistan naval cooperation
- Pakistan signed agreement with China to procure eight Hangor-class conventional submarines in 2015
Pakistan, ADB sign $730 loan agreements to boost SOE reforms, energy infrastructure
- Both sign $330 million Power Transmission Strengthening Project and $400 million SOE Transformation Program loan agreements
- Economic Affairs Division official says Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening national grid’s backbone
KARACHI: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday signed two loan agreements totaling $730 million to boost reforms in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and energy infrastructure in the country, the bank said.
The first of the two agreements pertains to the SOE Transformation Program worth $400 million while the second loan, worth $330 million, is for a Power Transmission Strengthening Project, the lender said.
The agreements were signed by ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan and Pakistan’s Secretary of Economic Affairs Division Humair Karim.
“The agreements demonstrate ADB’s enduring commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Pakistan,” the ADB said.
Pakistan’s SOEs have incurred losses worth billions of dollars over the years due to financial mismanagement and corruption. These entities, including the country’s national airline Pakistan International Airlines, which was sold to a private group this week, have relied on subsequent government bailouts over the years to operate.
The ADB approved the $400 million loan for SOE reforms on Dec. 12. It said the program seeks to improve governance and optimize the performance of Pakistan’s commercial SOEs.
Karim highlighted that the Power Transmission Strengthening Project will enable reliable evacuation of 2,300 MW from Pakistan’s upcoming hydropower projects, relieve overloading of existing transmission lines and enhance resilience under contingency conditions, the Press Information Department (PID) said.
“The Secretary emphasized that both initiatives are transformative in nature as the Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening the backbone of the national grid whereas the SOE Program will enhance transparency, efficiency and sustainability of state-owned enterprises nationwide,” the PID said.
The ADB has supported reforms by Pakistan to strengthen its public finance and social protection systems. It has also undertaken programs in the country to help with post-flood reconstruction, improve food security and social and human capital.
To date, ADB says it has committed 764 public sector loans, grants and technical assistance totaling $43.4 billion to Pakistan.
