China has delivered the third of eight advanced Hangor-class submarines to Pakistan. This move by Beijing is part of its effort to support Pakistan’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean by upgrading Islamabad’s naval strength, thereby increasing tensions in the region. According to the Chinese state-run newspaper Global Times, the launch ceremony for the third Hangor-class submarine was held on Thursday in Wuhan, Hubei province, central China.
The second submarine of the eight being built for Pakistan was delivered in March of this year. This is in addition to the four modern naval warships that China has given to Pakistan in recent years. This supply is part of its efforts to enhance Pakistan’s naval strength amid the continuous expansion of the Chinese navy in the Arabian Sea, where it is developing the Gwadar port in Balochistan, as well as making developments in the Indian Ocean.
