This is the second of the four frigates Pakistan inked a deal for back in 2017
China launched the second Type 054A/P frigate for Pakistan at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. Pakistan Navy’s Chief Naval Overseer Commodore Azfar Humayun was present at the induction ceremony of the Type 054A/P warship. The induction will further enhances Pakistan’s maritime defense and deterrence capabilities, according to a statement from Pakistan Navy. The launch coincided with the 70 years of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations which have grown from strength to strength.
Pakistan Navy inked a deal for the construction of four Type 054A/P frigates from China in 2017. This frigate is the second delivered to Pakistan with the first one handed over in August, 2020. According to Pakistan Navy, the ships are being delivered at a predetermined schedule.
Admiral M Amjad Khan Niazi, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy while talking to the media said that these are some of the most technologically advanced platforms of the Pakistan Navy Surface Fleet, equipped with the modern surface, subsurface, and anti-air weapons, sensors and combat management systems.
“These ships will boost [the] potency of our fleet and significantly contribute to maintaining peace and security in the region,” he said.
Pakistan Navy Chief Naval Overseer said at the launch ceremony appreciated the commitment and hard work of China Shipbuilding Trading Company and Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard to keep the work on time despite COVID.
A senior research fellow at the PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute Zhang Junshe, said that the Type 054A, on which the Type 054A/P is based, is China’s most advanced frigate. The new version has better air defense capability, as it is equipped with an improved radar system and a larger amount of missiles with a longer range compared with the previous version, Zhang said, noting that the Type 054A frigate also has world-class stealth capability.