The first Hangor-class submarine built by China for Pakistan was launched at a shipyard in Wuhan on April 26.she said this First of eight submarines Pakistan Navy plans to induct this class in its fleet by 2028. That’s all you need to know.
The Hangor class, an export version of the Chinese Type 039A Yuan class, is a diesel-electric attack submarine named after the now decommissioned PNS Hangor, famous for sinking the Indian frigate INS Kukri during the 1971 war. It was named.
“Diesel electric” refers to the propulsion method. When the submarine is surfacing and snorkeling, it is powered by a diesel engine, but the batteries charged by the diesel engine allow the submarine to navigate. The Hungor class has her four diesel engines. It is also equipped with an Atmospheric Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, which significantly increases the submarine’s underwater endurance.
Attack submarines are specifically designed to sink other submarines and surface ships using torpedoes (or in modern times, cruise missiles). The Hangor class has six of her 21-inch torpedo tubes and the ability to fire anti-ship missiles and Babur-3 subsonic cruise missiles with a range of 450 km.
Comparison with Indian Kalabari class
Pakistan’s Hungor-class submarines are the direct counterpart of India’s Kalabari-class submarines, which are based on the French Scorpene-class submarines. India currently operates six Kalabari-class submarines, with three more scheduled to enter service by the early 2030s.
In terms of size, the Hungor class is significantly larger than the Karabari class, which has a displacement of 1,775 tons and a total length of 67.5 meters. The Hungor class, on the other hand, has a displacement of 2,800 tons, a length of 76 meters, a width (at its widest point) of 8.4 meters, and a draft (depth of the ship below the waterline) of 6.2 meters. On the surface.
This probably means that the crews of Pakistani submarines live (slightly) more comfortably in shallow coastal waters, but this is a major drawback as the Kalabari class is much more maneuverable. be. Pakistani submarines are reported to have a maximum speed of 20 knots (37 km/h), the same as independent submarines.
This is important because the submarine’s USP is stealth. Much of the submarine’s USP comes from its ability to remain underwater for long periods of time. Traditional diesel-electric submarines must surface after several days (2-5 days depending on the battery used) to recharge their batteries in order to be detected by enemy radar and exhaust gas sensors. The AIP system significantly increases the submarine’s underwater endurance (more than 15-20 days). The Indian Navy is currently working on installing the indigenously developed AIP system on Kalabari class submarines.
In terms of armament, the Karabari class is equipped with six German-made 21-inch torpedoes and missile systems such as French Exocet anti-ship missiles and MICA anti-aircraft missiles. This is probably better than Hangor’s weapon and has been tested in more battles. Neither submarine has a vertical launch system (like India’s nuclear-powered Arihant class), allowing it to carry large cruise missiles like the BrahMos NG.
Both submarine classes are equipped with state-of-the-art sensor suites, but details of Hangor’s capabilities in this regard have not been made public.
