Pakistan inducts last of four Chinese-designed F-22P frigates:
Farhan Bokhari, Islamabad.
Last posted:
2013-09-04
The Pakistan Navy on 3 September formally inducted the last of the four F-22P frigates purchased from China in a contract worth USD700 million.
PNS Aslat was entirely built at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) under a technology transfer contract, according to senior Pakistani officials. The previous three ships were built either entirely or partially in China.
Pakistan's recently elected prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, who presided over a ceremony in the southern port city of Karachi to induct the frigate, described it as a landmark event.
"Construction of the F-22P frigate at Karachi Shipyard under transfer of technology is a testament of the everlasting bond of friendship that exists between China and Pakistan," said Sharif, adding: "I am confident that the defence co-operation between the two countries will grow from strength to strength in years to come and will be a source of improving peace, security, and stability in the region."
Sharif also used the event to refer to China's involvement in the development and management of a strategically vital naval port at Gwadar in the south of western Baluchistan province, overlooking the northern Arabian Sea. The location of the Gwadar port is strategically significant because it is close to the Strait of Hormuz, which is the only maritime passage through to the oil-rich Persian Gulf region.
"I would also like to acknowledge Chinese co-operation in development of Gwadar Deep Water Port, which has strengthened the maritime infrastructure in Pakistan and opened new vistas of economic growth and prosperity in Balochistan," said Sharif.
The port at Gwadar was built at a cost of about USD250 million, which included a USD200 million long-term soft loan from China. In early 2013 Pakistan cancelled a contract with PSA Singapore for management of the Gwadar port and gave its management rights to China.
Following Sharif's election in May this year, his government said it plans to build an ambitious economic corridor consisting of a six-lane highway and railway line that will eventually link Gwadar with China's predominantly Muslim western Xinjiang region.
Meanwhile, since early 2011 the Pakistan Navy has been in discussions with China over the purchase of six new submarines.
According to Western defence officials who stated , the submarine contract could become the largest single defence contract ever concluded by Pakistan. Although an exact value for the submarine contract has not been disclosed, one Western defence official said it could be worth anywhere between USD2.5 billion and USD4 billion, depending on the specification of the boats.
ANALYSIS
The Pakistan Navy's completion of plans to induct the four Chinese frigates will serve to cement the already close relationship between Pakistan and China.
Pakistan has stepped up its arms purchases from China over the past two decades since it went through a period of punitive US economic sanctions for working to produce nuclear weapons.
Indian defence officials have said that China's collaboration with Pakistan is driven by its ambition to create a string of allies around India before preparing for an eventual foray by the People's Liberation Army and Navy into the Indian Ocean region.
JDW
