In an interview with Global Times, affiliated with People’s Daily, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, the Pakistani chief of naval staff, said the first batch of Hangor-class, conventionally powered attack submarines jointly built by China and Pakistan was expected to enter service in the South Asian country’s navy next year.

Ashraf said the submarine programme was “progressing smoothly” and notable for boosting Islamabad’s submarine force capabilities, contributing to “self-reliance through transfer of technology and skill development” and reflecting close Sino-Pakistani collaboration on naval equipment.

Chinese-origin platforms and equipment had been reliable, technologically advanced and well-suited to the Pakistan Navy’s operational requirements, Ashraf said, according to the Global Times article published on Sunday.

Emerging technologies such as uncrewed systems, artificial intelligence and advanced electronic warfare systems were becoming increasingly important, he said, adding that Pakistan’s navy was focusing on these areas and exploring collaboration with China.

Pakistan is the world’s largest importer of Chinese weapons, accounting for 63 per cent of Beijing’s total global arms exports between 2020 and 2024, according to a database compiled by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.