Monday, June 19, 2006javascript:; http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/print.asp?page=2006\06\19\story_19-6-2006_pg11_10
ISLAMABAD: The inventory of Pakistan Navy is being strengthened to give it ââ¬Åa real punchââ¬Â while measures are being taken to make the navy a potent force, defence experts have said.
Last year, the Pakistan Navy inked a deal with China for four state-of-the-art frigates besides inducting modern Agosta 90b submarines and enhancing the existing fleet of P-3C Orion surveillance aircrafts. The acquisition of four F-22P frigates would be an important step for the countyââ¬â¢s maritime defence and experts hope that the first of the ships would be delivered in 2008.
ââ¬ÅThese warships would not only enhance the operational proficiency of the navy but also make the maritime defence of Pakistan impregnable,ââ¬Â the experts said. According to schedule, China State Shipbuilding Corporation would supply the ships from 2008 to 2013. The fourth warship would be built completely in Pakistan to transfer the technology.
In his recent visit to China, President General Pervez Musharraf visited the Hudong shipyard where the frigates will be made.
The F-22Ps have evolved from the existing design of latest Chinese frigates with modifications and customisations to suit Pakistan Navyââ¬â¢s requirements. The warship will be capable of operating independently or as part of a task force in a multi-threat scenario. It will also be capable of operating in areas contaminated with Nuclear, Biological and Chemical agents. The frigates will be equipped with organic helicopters, specially designed for anti-submarine warfare, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles along with many other associated self defence systems. Its design will also include stealth features to minimise detection and enhance combat capability. The combat system of the ship features various sensors for surveillance and detection of surface, sub-surface, and air contacts and corresponding engagement weapon systems.
All the sensors and weapons will be integrated through a Command and Control network, which will be supported by the navigation, communication and ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore Data Link networks.
In 1999, Pakistan Navy inducted the sophisticated modern submarine Agosta 90-B. The submarine ââ¬ËKhalidââ¬â¢ was made by French technicians with the assistance of Pakistani workmen in France.
Currently, the Pakistan Navy is planning the induction of a third Agosta 90-B called ââ¬ËHamzaââ¬â¢ later this year. The latest version of this French technology submarine has been built entirely in Pakistan, by local experts. The submarine was built by generating indigenous resources. The second in the series, Saad, was inducted by the navy in 2004 and was also built in Pakistan with the help of French engineers.
These Submarines are capable of launching anti-ship missiles and various types of torpedoes. The Agosta 90B has been designed to operate as anti-submarine, anti-surface, intelligence gathering vessel and for sea-patrol. It is equipped with four bow torpedo tubes and is capable of diving deeper than 300 metres with a maximum sprint speed of 20 knots.
The Pakistan Navyââ¬â¢s Agosta 90B Khalid Class submarines will be equipped with MESMA ââ¬â an air-independent propulsion system. This system will increase the endurance of the submerged submarine.
The navy has also acquired eight P-3C Orion surveillance aircrafts from the US. These aircrafts would be fitted with modern avionics and mission systems by Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of P-3C Orion. The aircrafts are being provided by the US Navy free of cost and the expenses for the modifications in the aircraft avionics systems will also be met mostly by the US military aid.
The P-3C Orion is a long range maritime patrol aircraft with an endurance of about 18 hours and can carry Harpoon missiles. With the induction of eight P-3Cs, the existing fleet of Pakistan Navyââ¬â¢s P-3Cs will grow up to 10.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\06\19\story_19-6-2006_pg11_10
ISLAMABAD: The inventory of Pakistan Navy is being strengthened to give it ââ¬Åa real punchââ¬Â while measures are being taken to make the navy a potent force, defence experts have said.
Last year, the Pakistan Navy inked a deal with China for four state-of-the-art frigates besides inducting modern Agosta 90b submarines and enhancing the existing fleet of P-3C Orion surveillance aircrafts. The acquisition of four F-22P frigates would be an important step for the countyââ¬â¢s maritime defence and experts hope that the first of the ships would be delivered in 2008.
ââ¬ÅThese warships would not only enhance the operational proficiency of the navy but also make the maritime defence of Pakistan impregnable,ââ¬Â the experts said. According to schedule, China State Shipbuilding Corporation would supply the ships from 2008 to 2013. The fourth warship would be built completely in Pakistan to transfer the technology.
In his recent visit to China, President General Pervez Musharraf visited the Hudong shipyard where the frigates will be made.
The F-22Ps have evolved from the existing design of latest Chinese frigates with modifications and customisations to suit Pakistan Navyââ¬â¢s requirements. The warship will be capable of operating independently or as part of a task force in a multi-threat scenario. It will also be capable of operating in areas contaminated with Nuclear, Biological and Chemical agents. The frigates will be equipped with organic helicopters, specially designed for anti-submarine warfare, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles along with many other associated self defence systems. Its design will also include stealth features to minimise detection and enhance combat capability. The combat system of the ship features various sensors for surveillance and detection of surface, sub-surface, and air contacts and corresponding engagement weapon systems.
All the sensors and weapons will be integrated through a Command and Control network, which will be supported by the navigation, communication and ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore Data Link networks.
In 1999, Pakistan Navy inducted the sophisticated modern submarine Agosta 90-B. The submarine ââ¬ËKhalidââ¬â¢ was made by French technicians with the assistance of Pakistani workmen in France.
Currently, the Pakistan Navy is planning the induction of a third Agosta 90-B called ââ¬ËHamzaââ¬â¢ later this year. The latest version of this French technology submarine has been built entirely in Pakistan, by local experts. The submarine was built by generating indigenous resources. The second in the series, Saad, was inducted by the navy in 2004 and was also built in Pakistan with the help of French engineers.
These Submarines are capable of launching anti-ship missiles and various types of torpedoes. The Agosta 90B has been designed to operate as anti-submarine, anti-surface, intelligence gathering vessel and for sea-patrol. It is equipped with four bow torpedo tubes and is capable of diving deeper than 300 metres with a maximum sprint speed of 20 knots.
The Pakistan Navyââ¬â¢s Agosta 90B Khalid Class submarines will be equipped with MESMA ââ¬â an air-independent propulsion system. This system will increase the endurance of the submerged submarine.
The navy has also acquired eight P-3C Orion surveillance aircrafts from the US. These aircrafts would be fitted with modern avionics and mission systems by Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of P-3C Orion. The aircrafts are being provided by the US Navy free of cost and the expenses for the modifications in the aircraft avionics systems will also be met mostly by the US military aid.
The P-3C Orion is a long range maritime patrol aircraft with an endurance of about 18 hours and can carry Harpoon missiles. With the induction of eight P-3Cs, the existing fleet of Pakistan Navyââ¬â¢s P-3Cs will grow up to 10.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\06\19\story_19-6-2006_pg11_10
