A Military Off-Sync: Hangor Subs, Flawed Procurements, and Pakistan's Path Forward

Is Pakistan's new Hangor-class submarine secretly a version of China's advanced Yuan-class? This week on Defence Uncut, we dive deep into the Pakistan Navy's newest and largest-ever submarine, exploring its advanced Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system and its strategic role in pushing Pakistan's defensive line deep into the Indian Ocean. With the third boat, PNS Mangro, recently launched in China, we analyze how this new fleet is set to become a major headache for Indian anti-submarine warfare efforts.Join us as we also round up the week's biggest defence news, including a rumored $1.5 billion arms deal with Sudan and why Pakistan is missing a massive opportunity by not creating its own contracted aggressor air training services. We also discuss the latest on the Pakistan Air Force's future programs, including the Al-Murtajiz drone concept which signals a move towards manned-unmanned teaming, and the rumored induction of a new HAVA SOJ airborne standoff jammer.Finally, we present a critical analysis of a recurring issue in Pakistan's military: flawed procurement strategy and a lack of tri-service coordination. Using the stark contrast between the Navy's modern CAMM-ER surface-to-air missiles and the Army and Air Force's legacy HQ-16 systems, we debate the long-term dangers of over-relying on a single supplier and argue for a new approach focused on building indigenous capabilities through partnerships with peer nations.Send your questions, commentary, and insights to: [email protected]