First Sword Class Frigate Arrives In Pakistan
By USMAN ANSARI
Published: 13 Sep 2009 14:55
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The Pakistan Navy's first Sword/F-22P class frigate arrived in Karachi on Sept. 13.
According to a press release from the Pakistan navy, before entering Karachi Port the frigate undertook its first exercise with other ships and aerial assets of the fleet in the Arabian Sea, all under the watchful gaze of Rear Adm. Asif Sandila, commander of the Pakistan fleet.
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PNS Zulfiquar, a modification of the Type-53H3 design, was constructed at Shanghai's Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard and was commissioned on July 30 this year. Two other ships of the class have also been constructed at the shipyard and will sail for Pakistan in the third quarter of next year.
The fourth ship is currently undergoing construction in Karachi under a transfer of technology deal. The steel cutting ceremony for the so-far unnamed ship took place in March this year, and it is expected to join the fleet by 2013.
The class is armed with an all-Chinese weapons fit consisting of a 76.2mm main gun, developed from the Russian AK-176M; eight C-802/CSS-N-8 Saccade anti-ship missiles; an eight-round FM-90, which is an improved variant of the HQ-7, itself a copy of the Thomson-CSF Crotale; two hangar-top Type-730 30mm CIWS units; RDC-32 anti-submarine rockets; and two triple ET-52C torpedo tubes. A single Harbin Z-9EC ASW helicopter is also embarked, which provides over-the-horizon targeting for the C-802 anti-ship missiles. According to the navy, two Z-9EC helicopters have already arrived in Pakistan.
The arrival of PNS Zulfiquar marks the first time in Pakistan's history in which it has received a new-build major frontline warship. To date all acquisitions have been surplus ships mainly from the U.S. and United Kingdom. The navy's frontline fleet currently consists of six aging ex-Royal Navy Type-21 frigates of 1970s vintage, three of which are fitted with Chinese LY-60N SAM armament, and the remainder with Boeing RGM-84A Harpoon anti-ship missiles due to space and top weight limitations. That makes the 3144-ton Sword class frigates considerably more versatile.
PNS Zulfiquar is expected to be formally accepted by the navy this coming week.
First Sword Class Frigate Arrives In Pakistan - Defense News