Pak, China finalise USD 600 million defence deal
Islamabad, May 23: Pakistan has clinched a USD 600-million defence deal with China, which includes construction of four F22P frigates for the Pakistani Navy, upgradation of the Karachi dockyard and transfer of technology for indigenous production of modern surface fleet.
The deal has been finalised and the keel for construction of the F-22P frigates would be laid at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai this year, chief of Pakistan Navy, Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir, who concluded a week-long visit China yesterday, told the state-run APP.
Under the deal, three frigates would be built in Shanghai and the fourth one would be constructed at Karachi dockyard which would also be upgraded to enable Pakistan to build its own fleet of frigates later.
Tahir said the first frigate would be delivered to Pakistan in 2008 and the other three by 2013 along with transfer of technology.
The frigates would be equipped with organic helicopters specially designed for surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles along with numerous associated self-defence systems, he said, adding that the "modalities of design and configuration are at the final stages."
The four Chinese frigates would be in addition to the four Pakistan Navy would be buying from Greece. The deal to buy four Naval vessels from Greece was struck during the just concluded visit of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to Athens.
The frigate deal with China follow the two sides` decision to jointly develop JF-thunder fighter, which they plan to begin shortly. Also Pakistan Air Force plans to buy new Chinese made J-10 fighters in big numbers.
The acquisition of new surface vessels by Pakistan Navy in addition to strengthening its submarine fleet with French made Agosta submarines was seen as an attempt by Pakistan Navy to catch-up with its Indian counterpart.
Pakistani Navy has seven frigates at present compared to 13 of the Indian Navy and could match the neighbouring country vessel by vessel by 2010. It is expected to have 15 frigates by 2013.
In addition, Pakistan and China jointly developed Gwader Deep See Port in the southwest Balochistan close to Iranian coast, considered a strategic port designed to be a "listening post" to keep a tab on the shipping lanes of Arabian Sea.
Tahir said signing of the USD 600-million frigate deal was a milestone between the defence cooperation of Pakistan and China. This is for the first time that the two navies reached a high-level collaboration to augment surface fleet.
The project, he said, also reflects the keen interest of their senior political leadership to deepen the defence ties.
To a question, he said china made marvellous progress in the defence production sector in the recent years and the quality of their products are meeting international standard.
Admiral Tahir said during his stay in Beijing, he had very productive meetings with Chinese Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan and other officials, and visited Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai and Naval installations in Qingdao.
Chinese Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan assured him that the Chinese armed forces are ready to further strengthen cooperation with Pakistan, he said.
Admiral Tahir said China is Pakistan`s long time ally and main supplier of military equipment. Their defence cooperation has always been a source of peace and stability in the region, he claimed.
http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=297378&sid=SAS&ssid=
Islamabad, May 23: Pakistan has clinched a USD 600-million defence deal with China, which includes construction of four F22P frigates for the Pakistani Navy, upgradation of the Karachi dockyard and transfer of technology for indigenous production of modern surface fleet.
The deal has been finalised and the keel for construction of the F-22P frigates would be laid at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai this year, chief of Pakistan Navy, Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir, who concluded a week-long visit China yesterday, told the state-run APP.
Under the deal, three frigates would be built in Shanghai and the fourth one would be constructed at Karachi dockyard which would also be upgraded to enable Pakistan to build its own fleet of frigates later.
Tahir said the first frigate would be delivered to Pakistan in 2008 and the other three by 2013 along with transfer of technology.
The frigates would be equipped with organic helicopters specially designed for surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles along with numerous associated self-defence systems, he said, adding that the "modalities of design and configuration are at the final stages."
The four Chinese frigates would be in addition to the four Pakistan Navy would be buying from Greece. The deal to buy four Naval vessels from Greece was struck during the just concluded visit of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to Athens.
The frigate deal with China follow the two sides` decision to jointly develop JF-thunder fighter, which they plan to begin shortly. Also Pakistan Air Force plans to buy new Chinese made J-10 fighters in big numbers.
The acquisition of new surface vessels by Pakistan Navy in addition to strengthening its submarine fleet with French made Agosta submarines was seen as an attempt by Pakistan Navy to catch-up with its Indian counterpart.
Pakistani Navy has seven frigates at present compared to 13 of the Indian Navy and could match the neighbouring country vessel by vessel by 2010. It is expected to have 15 frigates by 2013.
In addition, Pakistan and China jointly developed Gwader Deep See Port in the southwest Balochistan close to Iranian coast, considered a strategic port designed to be a "listening post" to keep a tab on the shipping lanes of Arabian Sea.
Tahir said signing of the USD 600-million frigate deal was a milestone between the defence cooperation of Pakistan and China. This is for the first time that the two navies reached a high-level collaboration to augment surface fleet.
The project, he said, also reflects the keen interest of their senior political leadership to deepen the defence ties.
To a question, he said china made marvellous progress in the defence production sector in the recent years and the quality of their products are meeting international standard.
Admiral Tahir said during his stay in Beijing, he had very productive meetings with Chinese Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan and other officials, and visited Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai and Naval installations in Qingdao.
Chinese Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan assured him that the Chinese armed forces are ready to further strengthen cooperation with Pakistan, he said.
Admiral Tahir said China is Pakistan`s long time ally and main supplier of military equipment. Their defence cooperation has always been a source of peace and stability in the region, he claimed.
http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=297378&sid=SAS&ssid=
