Hangor to SSBNs: Pak Navy’s Next Big Strategic Move? || Islamabad Files

Islamabad Files today's episode is actually on the possibility of a nuclear submarine for Pakistan Navy, but we have also touched upon an important development and that's the launch of "Ghazi", the fourth Hangor-class submarine for the Pakistan Navy, marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s undersea warfare and maritime deterrence capabilities. With all four China-built Hangor-class submarines now undergoing sea trials and additional units under construction in Pakistan, the country is steadily strengthening its conventional submarine fleet.

However, Islamabad Files analysis the rapidly evolving regional security environment — particularly India’s accelerating induction of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) — is severely disturbing the strategic balance in the Indian Ocean. India’s Arihant-class and upcoming S-5 class nuclear submarines, equipped with long-range ballistic missiles and Vertical Launch Systems (VLS), significantly enhance New Delhi’s underwater nuclear deterrence.

Islamabad Files tries to asses this critical question for Pakistan: Can conventional submarines alone maintain strategic stability, or does Pakistan eventually need nuclear-powered submarines to ensure assured deterrence? And, why it's inevitable for Pakistan to have these submarines in Naval Fleet.

Islamabad Files thinks that as regional naval competition intensifies, the Indian Ocean is emerging as a critical theatre of power projection. Strengthening the Pakistan Navy — alongside air and land forces — is no longer optional but essential for maintaining deterrence, balance of power, and maritime sovereignty.


#PakistanNavy #HangorClass #PNSGhazi
#NuclearDeterrence #SubmarineWarfare
#SecondStrikeCapability #IndianOcean




Islamabad Files is an independent and impartial platform that provides audiences information and analysis, based on facts on topics such as wars, security, defense, tech and news from around the world. It is a joint collaboration of credible journalists namely Mr. Khalid Mehmood, Mr. Muhammad Imran and Mr. Faisal Raza Khan.


#KhalidMehmood is a well known working journalist since the year 1992, having a more than thirty years experience.

#MuhammadImran is another well-known young and respected face in the field of investigative journalism since the year 1999.

#FaisalRazaKhan is award winning journalist having an almost thirty years experience as a professional journalist.

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