KARACHI: The keel laying ceremony of the first Hangor-class submarine and the steel cutting of the second submarine were held at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW) on Saturday, said the Pakistan Navy. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi graced the occasion as chief guest.
According to a press release, the defence agreement between Pakistan and China included the development of eight Hangor-class submarines including four under construction at Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group (WSIG) in China and the remaining four being built at KS&EW under the Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement.
The construction work of the first submarine to be made at KS&EW Pakistan commenced on December 21 and now the keel laying is being laid which is a major milestone in the history of any naval vessel being constructed, added the press statement.
Concurrently, construction work on a subsequent submarine has started with its steel cutting at the same shipyard. The submarine is capable of undertaking a variety of missions as per operational dictates. On the occasion, Admiral Niazi said that it is a matter of great pride to witness the keel laying and steel cutting of two submarines concurrently.
He added that Pakistan Navy is aware of the evolving geo-strategic situation in the region and will continue to develop naval potential, improve shipbuilding infrastructure and equip platforms with advanced weapons, and sensors to counter traditional as well as asymmetric threats.
