Big worry for India as Pakistan gets most advanced weapon from close friend China, weapon is…, is equipped with AIP technology...

India.com

17 hours ago

Pakistan's close friend China has delivered the third of the eight new 'advanced' Hangor-class submarines to Pakistan as part of Beijing's efforts to upgrade Islamabad's naval strength to support its growing presence in the Indian Ocean, India's backyard. According to the state-run Global Times reports, the launching ceremony of the third Hangor-class submarine was conducted in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, on Thursday. It is to be noted that the second of the eight submarines China is building for Pakistan was handed over in March this year.
What advanced weapon did Pakistan receive from China?
This is in addition to four modern naval frigates that China has supplied to Pakistan in recent years in order to enhance Pakistan's naval strength, at a time when the Chinese navy is growing its presence in the Arabian Sea with the development of the Gwadar port in Balochistan and in the Indian Ocean.
During the launch of the third submarine, Pakistan's Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Project-2 Vice Admiral Abdul Samad stated that the Hangor-class submarine's cutting-edge weaponry and advanced sensors would be instrumental in sustaining regional power equilibrium and ensuring maritime stability, the daily quoted a Pakistan defence statement as saying.
A recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) indicates China supplied over 81 per cent of Pakistan's military hardware.
According to the SIPRI database, Pakistan's main orders in the past five years have been the Rizwan, the country's first spy ship; more than 600 VT-4 battle tanks; and 36 J-10CE 4.5-generation fighters. In 2022, China delivered the first multi-role J-10CE fighter jets to the Pakistan Air Force, in addition to JF-17 fighters that both countries manufactured together. Pakistan reportedly used these fighter jets in a recent conflict against India.
Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that the Hangor-class submarine is characterised by its strong underwater combat capabilities, including comprehensive sensor systems, excellent stealth characteristics, high mobility, long endurance, and formidable firepower.
Media reports indicate that these submarines are reportedly equipped have Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, but there have been no official announcements from the Pakistani side yet. In contrast to India, the Indian Navy does not have AIP submarines, although it has two nuclear-powered submarines. DRDO has developed an indigenous AIP system under phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC), which is under consideration to be installed on the INS Kalvari-class submarines. This AIP system has been formally approved, and it will take time before it is installed and operational.