Pakistan Navy F22P Frigate launched

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The Pakistan Navy fourth F22P Frigate was launched on Thursday.

An impressive ceremony to this effect was held at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW).

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir, was the chief guest at the launching ceremony.

The vessel is the fourth F22P Frigate built indigenously at the KSEW with the chinese assistance.

The first three such Frigates- PNS Zulfiqar, Shamsher and Saif, were built in China.

Admiral Noman Bashir remarked the launching of the F22P Frigate at the KSEW as a commendable accomplishment and a manifestation of the indigenous policy of the government specially attaining self-reliance in Maritime defence capabilities.

Acknowledging the efforts of Pakistani and Chinese engineers and technicians for the construction of F22P Frigate at the KSEW, he congratulated the China State Shipbuilding Company (CSSC) and the China Shipbuilding and Trading Company (CSTC), Hudong Zhongua and KSEW for launching the ship as per schedule.

Admiral Noman Bashir remarked that the occasion is yet another example of unparallel Pak-China relations which are founded on strong footing.

He said that launching of the warship being an important milestone has not only further strengthened our relations with Chinese friends but has also added colour and eminence to celebrations for 60 years of resounding friendship between Pakistan and China.

The Naval Chief also appreciated the turnaround of the KSEW that enabled it to meet challenges of constructing warships and attributed the success to sound planning of KSEW management and untiring efforts of the workforce.

He emphasized on building a strong Navy capable to defend the maritime interests of the country.

Admiral Noman Bashir reiterated that we do not possess any aggressive designs but our sea trade routes, vast exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and international energy lines that pass very close to our coast need to be protected which is not only in the interest of our country but of the entire international community.

The Managing Director of the KSEW, Commodore Nasir Iqbal Akbar, presented the welcome address.

The President of the CSTC, Wu Di, and the Chinese Consul General in Karachi, also spoke on the occasion.

The Managing Director of the KSEW presented a model of the F22P Frigate to Admiral Noman Bashir.

The Chief of the Naval Staff cut a ribbon to launch the frigate in to the sea.

On the occasion, he also announced a bonus for the staff of the KSEW.

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Pakistan Navy launches F-22P Frigate manufactured at KS&EW

Staff Report

KARACHI: Pakistan do not possess any aggressive designs but country’s sea trade routes, vast Exclusive Economic Zone and international energy lines that pass close to its territorial waters need to be protected which was in the interest of world community.

This was observed by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir while speaking as chief guest at the launching ceremony of fourth F-22P Frigate at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW) here on Thursday.

Bashir remarked that launching of F-22P ship at KS&EW was a commendable accomplishment and a loud manifestation of the indigenisation policy of the government specially attaining self reliance in maritime defence capabilities. Acknowledging the efforts of Pakistani and Chinese engineers and technicians for construction of F-22P Frigate at Karachi Shipyard, he congratulated China State Shipbuilding Company (CSSC), China Shipbuilding and Trading Company (CSTC), Hudong Zhongua and Karachi Shipyards for launching the ship according to the schedule and remarked that the occasion was yet another example of unparalleled Pak-China relations, which were founded on strong mooring.

Bashir emphasised that the launching of the warship being an important milestone had not only further strengthened relations with Chinese friends but had added colour and eminence to celebrations for 60 years of resounding friendship between Pakistan and China.

The Naval Chief appreciated the turnaround of Karachi Shipyard that enabled it to meet challenges of constructing warships and attributed the success to sound planning of KS&EW management and untiring efforts of its workforce.

Admiral Bashir also urged the Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) to continue supporting KS&EW on its road to progress. Admiral Bashir emphasised on building a strong Navy capable to defend maritime interests of the country.

Bashir said Pakistan Navy will continue to endeavour to maintain peace and stability in its area of responsibility. The fourth Frigate of F-22P series named as PNS Aslat. The design and construction of these ships started in year 2005 after signing of contract between MoDP and CSTC. Under the agreement, three ships were constructed at Hudong Zhongua Shipyard, China, while fourth ship was constructed at KS&EW under the transfer of technology arrangement.

In this regard, infrastructure at KS&EW had been upgraded and Human Resource had been trained in China and Pakistan to undertake the construction work. First three ships had already been timely delivered to Pakistan Navy. Experience gained during construction of forth ship at KS&EW will augment capabilities of Karachi Shipyard to reinforce its survivability and meet future challenges in warships construction projects.

The F-22P project while contributing significantly to maritime defence of the country, has also added a new dimension to Pak-China collaboration in defence field. F-22P Frigates have evolved from design of a Chinese Frigate with modifications and customisation to meet Pakistan Navy’s requirement. The induction of F-22P Frigates has considerably augmented existing surface fleet. These ships are capable of operating independently or as part of a task force in multi threat environments.

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Pakistan needs more F-22Ps, not Type 054A

Kuala Lumpur, KLS: Pakistan’s Navy is looking at expanding its F22P frigate fleet, either construct the exactly same F22P or improved variant of F22P.

Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan, Admiral Noman Bashir told KLS that because of geographical factor, Pakistan needs more ships to cover the vast area.

“We need to expand F22P, whether we do exactly the same as F22P or we make some upgrade, make it even better. Because of the technology is changing every year, in order to keep it up to date, you have to keep upgrading what you have.”

Pakistan ordered four F22P frigates from China in 2005, the first three ships will be built in China while the last in Pakistan. The first F22P was delivered to Pakistan in mid 2009.

Apart from that, there are reports saying that procuring Chinese Type 054A Frigate is part of Pakistan Navy’s expansion program. Type 054A is a 4000+ ton missile frigate, installed with vertical launch missile launchers and advanced radar and fire control systems.

F22P frigate is an improved version of Chinese Type 053H3 frigate, its full load displacement is 3000+ton but without any vertical launch system.

“Type 054A is a bigger ship than F22P, but we may not acquire 054, but we need to upgrade F22P, to become closer to 054,” Admiral Noman Bashir said.
Type 054A XuZhou is installed with 32 cells vertical launcher system. XuZhou called on Port Klang in Dec 2009.

He commented that Type 054A is a very successful ship for PLA Navy.

He said F22P can be modified to become closer to Type 054A, but not exactly like that. Pakistan Navy is discussing with Chinese counterparts about its future frigate upgrading program.

He added for the time being, Pakistan Navy is engaging with F22P program, only once they have finished it then goes to second.

“The fourth F22P will take about a year for construction, then we will talk about that.”

He not ruled out the possibility of naming the next generation frigate as F23P.