Pakistan Navy inducts its ‘most advanced’ warship

Islamabad: Pakistan Navy has inducted the first of its “most advanced” guided-missile frigates built by China.

The first of the four Type 054A/P frigates built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC) was delivered to Pakistan Navy in a commissioning ceremony held at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai on November 8. “The frigate is the largest and most advanced warship China has ever exported”, according to CSSC.

Highly advanced warship

The Type 054A/P frigate named ‘PNS Tughril’ is a “technologically advanced and highly capable platform with an enormous surface to surface, surface to air and underwater firepower besides extensive surveillance potentials,” the navy said in a statement. The multi-mission frigate is capable of performing all dimensions of naval warfare simultaneously in a highly intense muliti-threat environment. “PNS Tughril is equipped with state-of-the-art combat management and electronic warfare system along with modern self-defence capabilities.”

Pakistan-China defence partnership

At the ceremony in Shanghai, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Moin Ul Haq said that the commissioning of PNS Tughril ushers in a new chapter in Pakistan-China friendship that has remained steadfast in all domains and all times. He also praised the efforts of Chinese shipbuilding firms and the Chinese Navy for the landmark achievement and timely delivery of the frigate despite the pandemic situation. Du Gang, the board director at CSSC, said that the completion and commissioning of the warship is a “major milestone and a testimony of Pak-China friendship.”

Strengthening Pakistan Navy capabilities

Commodore Rashid Mehmood Sheikh, head of Pakistan Navy mission overseeing construction of Type 054A/P frigate, said that the multi-mission frigate “will form the mainstay of Pakistan Navy fleet while bolstering Pakistan Navy’s maritime defence capabilities.” Ambassador Moin also said that PNS Tughril class frigates “will strengthen Pakistan Navy’s capabilities to respond to maritime challenges to ensure seaward defence, maintain peace, stability and balance of power in Indian Ocean Region.”

Pakistan signed a contract with China for two frigates in 2017 while the contract for two more ships was signed in June 2018. The third frigate was launched in August 2021. All four units are set to be delivered by 2022.

Pakistan’s Type 054A/P frigates

The Type 054A/P is a version of the Chinese Navy’s most advanced frigate equipped with advanced radars and missiles. There are at least 30 Type 054A Jiangkai II–class frigates in service with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The frigates have a length of 134 meters, a beam of 16 meters for a displacement of 4,000 tons and can complement 165 sailors.

Pakistan Navy’s Type 054A/P frigates are reportedly equipped with SR2410C phased radar and 32-cell Vertical Launching System (VLS) able to launch the YJ-12 anti-ship cruise missiles. Other weapons include eight C-803 anti-ship, one PJ26 76mm dual-purpose naval gun, two Type 730 7-barrel 30mm CIWS guns, six 324mm Yu-7 ASW torpedo launchers.