Pakistan needs these so-called 'lightweight frigates': may I remind you that they are in fact longer and wider than the the ex-UK Type 21s and better armed?
F22P
Displacement: 2,500 tonnes (standard) and 3,144 tonnes (full load)
Length: 123.2 m (404 ft)
Beam: 13.8 m (45 ft)
Draught: 3.76 m (12.3 ft)
Compared to predecessors:
Type 12I (Leander)
Type:
Frigate
Displacement: 2,500 tons (later 2,790 tons) standard
2,962 tons (later 3,300 tons) full load
Length: 113.4 metres (372 ft)
Beam: 13.1 metres (43 ft)
Draught: 4.5 metres (15 ft
Type 21 (Amazon)
Displacement:
As built: 2,750
tons (standard) and 3,250 tons (full load)
After strengthening: 2,860 tons (standard) and 3,360 tons (full load)
Length: 360 ft (110 m) (
waterline)
384 ft (117 m) (
overall)
Beam: 41.8 ft (12.7 m)
Draught: 19 ft (5.8 m)
Brooke class
Displacement: 2,640 tons std and 3,426 tons full
Length: 414 ft (126 m)
Beam: 44 ft (13 m)
Garcia class
Displacement: 2,624 tons (light)
Length: 414 ft 6 in (126.34 m)
Beam: 44 ft 1 in (13.44 m)
Draft: 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m)
Gearing class
Displacement: 2,616 tons standard; 3,460 tons full load
Length: 390.5 ft (119.0 m)
Beam: 40.9 ft (12.5 m)
Draft: 14.3 ft (4.4 m)
What Pakistan needs is to at least replace all 6 Type 21s. Possibly add another set of 4 F22P to the first four, but in improved version (see Algerian C28A), with a VL SAM. And maybe some ocean OPVs, like the big 3500 ton Dutch Holland class. This will be complementing the 8+3 Submarines and maritime patrol aircraft. In the aviation department, there are some more ASW helicopters needed. 6 Harbin Z9 need to be complemented by 6 larger MPA helicopters.
All these assest are dual role ASuW and ASW assets, with selfdefence capability.