Pakistan, Nov. 3 -- The Pakistan Navy expects to induct its first Chinese-designed Hangor-class submarine into active service next year, Admiral Naveed Ashraf revealed in an interview with China's Global Times on Sunday.

The deal, which will see eight submarines delivered by 2028, is reportedly worth up to $5 billion and aims to strengthen Pakistan's maritime defense and strategic reach in the North Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

According to Admiral Ashraf, the program is "progressing smoothly," with three submarines already launched into China's Yangtze River from a shipyard in Hubei province. The first four submarines are being built in China, while the remaining four will be assembled in Pakistan to enhance local technical capabiliti...