The Pakistani Navy has officially commissioned the PNS Hangor, its first Hangor-class submarine, at a naval facility in Sanya, Hainan Island, China. This submarine is part of a broader agreement with China for eight vessels to be delivered by 2028. The Hangor-class, derived from the Chinese Type-039A design, is equipped with an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, allowing it to remain submerged for extended periods of two to three weeks without surfacing. This capability enhances Pakistan's underwater combat effectiveness, bringing its total AIP-equipped submarines to four, with plans to increase this number to eleven by 2028. Meanwhile, India is advancing its own submarine modernization efforts, including the acquisition of six Type-214 submarines and the indigenously developed AIP systems for its Kalvari-class submarines. Currently, the Indian Navy operates approximately 18–19 submarines, including both conventional and nuclear-powered vessels. In contrast, China continues to expand its naval fleet, with projections indicating its submarine count could reach 65 units this year and 80 by 2035.