China Delivers First Submarine to Pakistan, Pakistani President Personally Attends Handover in Sanya
China has delivered the first of eight AIP-equipped submarines to Pakistan, part of a 2015 order. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari personally attended the handover ceremony in Sanya, highlighting the deepening military cooperation and strategic partnership between the two nations.
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- 📰 Published: May 9, 2026 at 20:19
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Central News Agency
(Taipei, May 9, Central News Agency) Pakistan ordered 8 AIP-equipped submarines from China in 2015. China's Ministry of National Defense today confirmed the delivery of the first submarine to Pakistan, stating it is 'normal equipment cooperation' between China and Pakistan. According to Pakistan's announcement, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari personally attended the handover ceremony at Sanya Naval Port in Hainan on April 30.
China's Ministry of National Defense issued news regarding recent military issues this afternoon, May 9. A reporter asked: According to reports, the first 'Hangor-class' conventional submarine built by China for Pakistan was delivered in Sanya, with Pakistani President and Chief of Naval Staff and other high-level military and political officials attending the delivery ceremony. What is your comment on this?
Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said that this is 'normal equipment cooperation' between China and Pakistan and 'a vivid manifestation of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan.' In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, bilateral relations have continuously reached new heights and achieved new results.
He said that the Chinese and Pakistani militaries have been 'sincere and supportive' for many years, achieving fruitful cooperation in strategic communication, joint exercises and training, personnel training, and equipment technology, playing an important role in safeguarding the security of both countries and regional peace and stability.
The Associated Press reported that the Pakistani military announced on April 30 that the first Hangor-class submarine was officially delivered to the Pakistan Navy in China, marking a key step in the Pakistan Navy's modernization process and an important step in Pakistan's expanded defense cooperation with Beijing.
The handover ceremony was held at Sanya Naval Port in Hainan, with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari as the chief guest. Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff, Naveed Ashraf, and senior military officials from both countries also attended the ceremony.
Zardari visited China from April 25 to May 1 at China's invitation. During his visit, he stated that the commissioning of this advanced submarine is a 'historic milestone' for the Pakistan Navy, reflecting Islamabad's determination to maintain a reliable and balanced defense posture.
He said that Pakistan has the capability to defend its sovereignty, protect its maritime interests, and ensure the security of critical economic lifelines.
Pakistan is China's largest arms buyer in recent years, ordering 8 AIP-equipped submarines from China in 2015 for a total of $5 billion, setting a record for China's military trade exports at that time. This move is seen as a counter to India's procurement of Kalvari-class submarines from France.
The first four of these 8 submarines were built by China, and the latter four will be built by Pakistan, with China providing technology transfer.
Public data shows that the Kilo-class submarine is an export version developed based on China's Yuan-class (NATO code name) conventional submarines. It has a total length of 79.5 meters, a displacement of 2,550 tons, a maximum speed of 17 to 18 knots, and a maximum diving depth of 300 meters. When using the AIP system, its underwater endurance can reach 20 days. The crew consists of approximately 38 people. The Kilo-class submarine is equipped with 6 x 533 mm torpedo tubes and can also launch mines and anti-ship missiles. (Edited by Yang Sheng-ru / Tang Sheng-yang) 1150509
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(Taipei, May 9, Central News Agency) Pakistan ordered 8 AIP-equipped submarines from China in 2015. China's Ministry of National Defense today confirmed the delivery of the first submarine to Pakistan, stating it is 'normal equipment cooperation' between China and Pakistan. According to Pakistan's announcement, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari personally attended the handover ceremony at Sanya Naval Port in Hainan on April 30.
China's Ministry of National Defense issued news regarding recent military issues this afternoon, May 9. A reporter asked: According to reports, the first 'Hangor-class' conventional submarine built by China for Pakistan was delivered in Sanya, with Pakistani President and Chief of Naval Staff and other high-level military and political officials attending the delivery ceremony. What is your comment on this?
Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said that this is 'normal equipment cooperation' between China and Pakistan and 'a vivid manifestation of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan.' In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, bilateral relations have continuously reached new heights and achieved new results.
He said that the Chinese and Pakistani militaries have been 'sincere and supportive' for many years, achieving fruitful cooperation in strategic communication, joint exercises and training, personnel training, and equipment technology, playing an important role in safeguarding the security of both countries and regional peace and stability.
The Associated Press reported that the Pakistani military announced on April 30 that the first Hangor-class submarine was officially delivered to the Pakistan Navy in China, marking a key step in the Pakistan Navy's modernization process and an important step in Pakistan's expanded defense cooperation with Beijing.
The handover ceremony was held at Sanya Naval Port in Hainan, with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari as the chief guest. Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff, Naveed Ashraf, and senior military officials from both countries also attended the ceremony.
Zardari visited China from April 25 to May 1 at China's invitation. During his visit, he stated that the commissioning of this advanced submarine is a 'historic milestone' for the Pakistan Navy, reflecting Islamabad's determination to maintain a reliable and balanced defense posture.
He said that Pakistan has the capability to defend its sovereignty, protect its maritime interests, and ensure the security of critical economic lifelines.
Pakistan is China's largest arms buyer in recent years, ordering 8 AIP-equipped submarines from China in 2015 for a total of $5 billion, setting a record for China's military trade exports at that time. This move is seen as a counter to India's procurement of Kalvari-class submarines from France.
The first four of these 8 submarines were built by China, and the latter four will be built by Pakistan, with China providing technology transfer.
Public data shows that the Kilo-class submarine is an export version developed based on China's Yuan-class (NATO code name) conventional submarines. It has a total length of 79.5 meters, a displacement of 2,550 tons, a maximum speed of 17 to 18 knots, and a maximum diving depth of 300 meters. When using the AIP system, its underwater endurance can reach 20 days. The crew consists of approximately 38 people. The Kilo-class submarine is equipped with 6 x 533 mm torpedo tubes and can also launch mines and anti-ship missiles. (Edited by Yang Sheng-ru / Tang Sheng-yang) 1150509
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you make is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-Hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news in real-time.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.