Pakistan's New Hangor Subs: Shaking Up the Indian Ocean

Let's be honest, when your neighbor starts beefing up their military gear, it's going to raise some eyebrows. That's the situation India finds itself in with Pakistan's recent addition of some spiffy new submarines called the Hangor class, courtesy of China. These aren't your granddad's old subs, and they could cause some major ripples in the Indian Ocean.

What's the Big Deal About These Submarines?​

The Hangor class boasts some fancy tech, like something called Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP). Basically, that means they can stay underwater for way longer than regular submarines. This makes them a sneakier threat to India's warships, which might suddenly find themselves in a submarine's crosshairs.

India isn't new to the whole "watching your rival's military moves" game. Its entire defense plan has long relied on having the stronger navy. Now, these new submarines mean India might need to spend more time and money hunting underwater threats, complicating its usual strategy.

Beyond the Battleships​

The Indian Ocean isn't just a military zone; it's a major highway for shipping goods in and out of India. Pakistan, with a boosted underwater fleet, could theoretically play submarine-tag with those trade routes, and nobody wants their Amazon packages delayed by underwater warfare.

And let's not forget the elephant in the room: China. By supplying Pakistan with those subs, they're sending a not-so-subtle message that they're interested in the power dynamics of the Indian Ocean. This could be seen as a challenge to India's usual top-dog position in the region.

India's Not Backing Down​

India's navy is still way bigger and has a lot more history behind it than Pakistan's. Plus, India is no slouch when it comes to fancy tech either – they have their own cool underwater toys for hunting submarines. They're also constantly adding new ships, including nuclear submarines, to keep their fleet top-notch.

And let's not forget India has powerful friends. Working closely with the US, France, and others on naval stuff could make a big difference.

The Bottom Line​

While these new subs are definitely a headache for India, it's not like they've suddenly tipped the whole power balance in the region. India's got the muscle, the brains, and the allies to handle this challenge. Still, it's a reminder that things are always shifting, and staying on your toes is the name of the game.

 

[Satya Dev]

With a vast coastline & without sufficient submarines & MCMVs (Mine Counter Measures Vessels) our coastal & naval assets are highly vulnerable to enemy subs. Paxtanis know our this weakness - that's why in 1965 war our INS Khukri got sunk by PNS Hangor submarine & in 1971 war, PNS Ghazi travelled all the way to Vizag hunting for INS Vikrant. PN stole a march over IN even in AIP submarines - all their 4 Agosta subs which were made before our Scorpenes, have French MESMA AIP. PN also operates 3 MG110 midget 100t submarines capable of carrying 14 people (including 2 SEAL teams of 4 each). We didn't go for the French MESMA AIP because our DRDO boasted that our fuel cell based AIP will be ready in time for installation on the first Scorpene. Today all six Scorpenes under P75 are not only without AIP, but even without HD torpedoes. All this while PN has started getting 8 new AIP SSKs from China and getting it's 4 Agosta AIP subs upgraded by Thurkish STM.

 

[Hari Sud]

With a vast coastline & without sufficient submarines & MCMVs (Mine Counter Measures Vessels) our coastal & naval assets are highly vulnerable to enemy subs. Paxtanis know our this weakness - that's why in 1965 war our INS Khukri got sunk by PNS Hangor submarine & in 1971 war, PNS Ghazi travelled all the way to Vizag hunting for INS Vikrant. PN stole a march over IN even in AIP submarines - all their 4 Agosta subs which were made before our Scorpenes, have French MESMA AIP. PN also operates 3 MG110 midget 100t submarines capable of carrying 14 people (including 2 SEAL teams of 4 each). We didn't go for the French MESMA AIP because our DRDO boasted that our fuel cell based AIP will be ready in time for installation on the first Scorpene. Today all six Scorpenes under P75 are not only without AIP, but even without HD torpedoes. All this while PN has started getting 8 new AIP SSKs from China and getting it's 4 Agosta AIP subs upgraded by Thurkish STM.

Whose pocket should we pick to pay for counter for these submarines?

It is known fact that Chinese stuff does not work. It is mostly show and tell.

 

[Pink Panther]

Whose fault is that, you keep dragging submarine procurement for decades, selecting scorpene when France supplied AIP equipped submarines to Pakistan, should have gone for Germany’s AIP equipped Type -212 instead of Scorpene in the first place, all bad decisions are haunting us already.

 

[PARTHAJIT JANA]

Whose fault is that, you keep dragging submarine procurement for decades, selecting scorpene when France supplied AIP equipped submarines to Pakistan, should have gone for Germany’s AIP equipped Type -212 instead of Scorpene in the first place, all bad decisions are haunting us already.

212 is highly advanced. They wont share it with us.probably 214 or its varaints they will offer.

 

[Kira]

While this acquisition won't change the balance of power broadly,but India has certainly made it very difficult for itself by dilly dallying further purchases of P-8I and complicating acquisition of more SSKs.
It's high time India stops snatching away defeat from the jaws of victory.

 

[Indiafirst]

While India contemplates to PLAN, adversaries have already executed theirs. When we will be leading in planning and executing our plans timely.
The puppet of Jinn Ping, the Bhikharistan getting all supports to keep them abreast or ahead of India in warfare machines.
Indian establishments need to wake from slumber and act fast.

While India’s P-75I Submarines Hang In Balance, Pakistan Is Racing Ahead With Next-Gen Chinese Boats

While the Indian Navy’s project to acquire six next-generation submarines under Project-75I remains in limbo, Pakistan is racing ahead with its submarine program

swarajyamag.com

 

[Bharat007]

Hangor class has larger displacement than Scorpion. Moreover, AIP in Hangor class is of bigger capacity and it gives extended time underwater when compared with that of AIP that DRDO is making for Scorpion Kalvari class submarine. Our Kalvaris will start getting AIP from this year as per the report.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

While this acquisition won't change the balance of power broadly,but India has certainly made it very difficult for itself by dilly dallying further purchases of P-8I and complicating acquisition of more SSKs.
It's high time India stops snatching away defeat from the jaws of victory.

Any surprises in what India is doing with P8I’s ? Repeat of stupidity all over again !!

 

[shivkumar sinha]

Bharat must abondon slumber and pull up all socks to strengthen our submarines fleet. Order for 3 additional Scorpenes can be placed within few months and P-75I for 6 more SSKs should be finalized within 2 years on urgent basis. In the meantime, our indigenous project P-76 can be developed for 6 more submarines. Existing scorpenes are scheduled to be fitted with AIP at incoming refits.

 

[Gajanan Rao]

I don't think it's a matter of concern. It requires an operating cost. Which Pakistan cannot bear

 

[Anant]

With a vast coastline & without sufficient submarines & MCMVs (Mine Counter Measures Vessels) our coastal & naval assets are highly vulnerable to enemy subs. Paxtanis know our this weakness - that's why in 1965 war our INS Khukri got sunk by PNS Hangor submarine & in 1971 war, PNS Ghazi travelled all the way to Vizag hunting for INS Vikrant. PN stole a march over IN even in AIP submarines - all their 4 Agosta subs which were made before our Scorpenes, have French MESMA AIP. PN also operates 3 MG110 midget 100t submarines capable of carrying 14 people (including 2 SEAL teams of 4 each). We didn't go for the French MESMA AIP because our DRDO boasted that our fuel cell based AIP will be ready in time for installation on the first Scorpene. Today all six Scorpenes under P75 are not only without AIP, but even without HD torpedoes. All this while PN has started getting 8 new AIP SSKs from China and getting it's 4 Agosta AIP subs upgraded by Thurkish STM.

Hold on. Lots of factual errors in your otherwise correct comment. Don't take this otherwise, and while I do broadly agree with you, I'll point out the errors for want of being objective:

1. INS Khukri was sunk in the 1971 war, not in 1965. In 1965, Bhikaristan did not have the Daphne-class yet.
2. PNS Ghazi reaching Visakhapatnam in 1971 had next to nothing to do with India's lack of ASW assets. In fact, we had a fairly good ASW asset spread in that era: Two Type 12 and three Type 14 ASW frigates, Super Constellatiom Sea King helicopters, Breguet Alize ASW aircraft, plus older ASW gear on the six World War 2-era destroyers. Ghazi reached Visakhapatnam because she had already left before the war started, and we did not have the resources or capability to track her all the way.
3. Bhikaristan technically has 5 Agosta-class submarines, but these are of two variants. There are two Agosta-70 submarines (the original design; these boats originally ordered by South Africa but the UN arms embargo led to their non-delivery and subsequent Bhikaristani purchase), which do not have AIP. These boats are already 45 and 44 years old respectively, and will be replaced once the Hangor-class comes online. The remaining three submarines are the AIP-equipped Agosta-90B submarines, which date back to between 1999 and 2006. It is these three boats that have been upgraded by STM.

 

[Anant]

Whose fault is that, you keep dragging submarine procurement for decades, selecting scorpene when France supplied AIP equipped submarines to Pakistan, should have gone for Germany’s AIP equipped Type -212 instead of Scorpene in the first place, all bad decisions are haunting us already.

The Type 212 has never been offered. Even when Project 75 was underway, the Germans had only offered the Type 209-1500 (essentially, more Shishumar-class boats), and the Type 214. That latter offering had AIP, but it was still the Type 214. Essentially, they are offering a modernised version of the same design today as well.

 

[Andy S]

Problem is the intellectual bankruptcy of defence ministry & navy also. Why don't you ask L&T to design and build subs. A little handholding will yield great results. Initially they may be little inferior to contemporary but within years they will catch up. Quantity has its own quality.
Not showing faith for local products is the main problem.

 

[Anant]

Problem is the intellectual bankruptcy of defence ministry & navy also. Why don't you ask L&T to design and build subs. A little handholding will yield great results. Initially they may be little inferior to contemporary but within years they will catch up. Quantity has its own quality.
Not showing faith for local products is the main problem.

They already offered the L&T SOV-400 midget submarines in 2021, but little interest was shown. Now, they have partnered with Navantia for the S80 Plus design offering for P75I.

 

[NSR]

Indian Maritime Patrol Planes P-8Is keeps tabs on almost every surface and underwater assets of Terroristan/Beggeristan Navy.

During Balakot operations, IN was ready to destroy all except one submarine which fled to Iranian port of Bandar Abbas.
A simple go ahead from political leadership was needed to destroy about 98% of PN.
It speaks volumes about Indian Navy critical skillsets.

Way to go!!!

 

[Pink Panther]

The Type 212 has never been offered. Even when Project 75 was underway, the Germans had only offered the Type 209-1500 (essentially, more Shishumar-class boats), and the Type 214. That latter offering had AIP, but it was still the Type 214. Essentially, they are offering a modernised version of the same design today as well.

Type-214 is export version of Type-212, AIP equipped Type-214 would been much better than Scorpene, we currently have none when Pakistan has 15 of them and will get more,.

 

[Pink Panther]

212 is highly advanced. They wont share it with us.probably 214 or its varaints they will offer.

Even AIP equipped Type-214 would have been much better than Scorpene, even South Koreans got this submarine and modified them, we currently don't have a single AIP equipped submarine or at-least a considerable fleet of Nuclear submarines, this is pathetic situation compared to Pakistan that has 15 of them and will get more, we learned nothing from Scorpene either, our carriers are sitting duck.

 

[Sir Capt]

Nothing the P8 can't detect or handle.

 

[Pink Panther]

Bharat must abondon slumber and pull up all socks to strengthen our submarines fleet. Order for 3 additional Scorpenes can be placed within few months and P-75I for 6 more SSKs should be finalized within 2 years on urgent basis. In the meantime, our indigenous project P-76 can be developed for 6 more submarines. Existing scorpenes are scheduled to be fitted with AIP at incoming refits.

Nobody knows how long it is going to take to equip Indian AIP in the three new Scorpenes.