Which Pakisan Navy Program , has been the most Impactful

[Basel]

No one knows the specifications or capabilities yet, it's all speculation.

That's not correct, many people know about it but will not share till allowed.

 

[khanasifm]

Old interview May-2010
INTERVIEW

Captain Mirza Foad Amin Baig
Commanding Officer, PNS Zulfiqar

The first of Pakistan's four Sword-class frigates, PNS Zulfiqar, is preparing for a final sea inspection later in 2010 before being declared fully operational. Capt.Baig spoke to Guy Tormens when the ship visited Doha, Qatar.

Launched by China State Shipbuilding Corporation at its Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai on 19th April 2008, PNS Zulfiqar - the first of Pakistan Navy's (PN's) four Sword-class (F-22P) frigates - was commissioned on 30th July 2009.

Having completed the technical acceptance process followed by pier-side and at-sea training, the ship's company commenced a delivery voyage that took Zulfiqar to Manado for Indonesia's International Fleet Review (12-19 August), Port Kalang in Malaysia (27-30 August) and Colombo, Sri Lanka (5-7 Sept). The frigate arrived in Karachi on 13 September and was inducted into the PN fleet on 19 September.

"the remainder 0f 2009 and early 2010 was taken up by testing our sensors and weapons in home waters" says Capt. Mirza Foad Amin Baig, the Commanding Officer."in early March we sailed from Karachi for a deployment to the Arabian Gulf, before taking part in DIMDEX 2010 (The 2nd Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition in Qatar, we successfully fired C-802 missiles in the Northern Arabian sea on 12 March, and on our way to Doha we conducted passex serials with both the Saudi navy and the Qatari naval forces.

Despite its strong visual resemblances to the Chinese navy's Jiangwei II-class (Type 053H3) frigates, Capt. Baig says the 3,144-ton Zulfiqar and its sister ships were designed to specific Pakistani requirements and incorporate many features hiitherto unknown in PN vessels. " most obvious are the radar cross-section reduction measures, clearly visible in the hull, main gun and the slightly angling superstructure". he notes." A lot of effort was also put into infrared signature, noise and electro-magnetic emission reduction. She is also the first major surface combatant of the PN to have a high level of automation on board".

A integrated platform management system controls the engines, hull services, electrical distribution and damage-control systems,"Zulfiqar has been fitted with a sophisticated German MTU damage-control system. Automatic detectors and sensor systems ensure an early warning for any damage occuring in any operational situation" says Capt.Baig. "Buoyancy is assured with two adjacent compartments flooded and a sprinkler system is fitted throughout the ship. these enhanced damage-control capabilities and the in-built redundency are important factors for unsupported long-distance crossings".Designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and ant-surface warfare (ASuW), Zulfiqar also has a local area self-defense capability."I dare say that a Sword-class unit packs almost the combined fire-power of our six Tariq-class (Ex-UK RN Amazon-class (Type-21)) frigates. We feature quite a few capabilities not found on the pther Pakistani frigates".

The ASuW suite consists of two quadruple C-802 launchers (CSS-N-8'Saccade') and a 76mm gun based on the Russian AK-176M weapon. ASW assets comprise two triple ET-52C 324mm torpedo tubes, two sextuple RDC-32 rocket launchers and an Echo Type 5 hull-mounted active search and track sonar. An octuple launcher for FM-90N anti-air missiles is located forward of the bridge and two Type 730 30mm seven-barrel guns are provided for close-in defence (CIWS).

"The embarked Harbin Z-9EC helicopter provides us with over-the-horizon targeting for the C-802 missiles as well as a long-range detection capability and anti-submarine capability",Capt.Baig states."Our combat management suite is based on the chinese ZKJ-3C (a variant of the French TAVITAC) and the electronic-warfare system comprises the Chinese RWD-8 intercept system and a NJ8I-3 jammer".Sensors include a SUR-17 air-surveillence radar, an SR-60 air/surface search radar and a Kelvin-Hughes 2007 navigation radar.

While accepting that the integration of Chinese and Western systems was challenging, Capt.Baig says the package works well in practice and that Zulfiqar has considerable potential for future upgrade; for example, there is a space to install a vertical launch system in place of the FM-90N launcher. he anticipates that a forthcoming modernisation will see the FM-90N and SUR-17 combination replaced by the Chinese HQ-16 (a variant of the Russian SA-N-12 Shril).

Capt.Baig is pleased with the seaworthiness of the 123.4 m-long hull which, he says is "shaped to minimize the resistence of water and improve seakeeping in rough sea conditions. Two rudders and two controlable pitch propellers allow excellent manoeuvarability. We can conduct our tasks up to Sea State 5. Our CODAD (combined diesel and diesel) propulsion system (two Tognum MTU 12V 1163 TB 83 diesel engines) gives us a top speed of 28+ kt and the onboard fuel capacity provides a steaming range in excess of 6,000 n miles at 18 kt".

Compared with older vessels, crew habitability standards have been improved and noise kept to a minimum while air-conditioning has been installed in accomodation and operating compartments. Capt. Baig says"the core crew is 188, but we have a capacity for 212 and for short periods even up to 250".

Further weapons and sensor trials are planned before the frigate undergoes a final sea inspection later in 2010 and - all being well - is declared fully operational."one may well see PNS Zulfiqar taking part in anti-piracy operations in 2011".

The second Sword-class frigate, PNS Shamsheer, was commissioned in Shanghai on 19 December 2009, arrived in Karachi on 23 January 2010 (after stops in Singapore and Colombo) and was admitted into the Pakistani fleet on 8 Feburary. Ship three, Saif, is scheduled to commission on 31 July. The keel of the final unit, Aslat, was laid down on 10 December 2009 at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works and scheduled to join the fleet in December 2013.

 

[Quwa]

That's not correct, many people know about it but will not share till allowed.

Even then I'd express caution. Things can change between the time someone receives information to the time it is revealed to the public.

 

[Basel]

Even then I'd express caution. Things can change between the time someone receives information to the time it is revealed to the public.

True, deals needs to be finalized even after that deals can go down.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Strangely I kinda like our Fast Attack program becasue it is a local program and we can always adjust and modify the weapons on board mix and match

The stealth features of the ships make them quite a wonderful little package

Need something simple in ship's front to have minimal defence from Air threats

 

[.]

All of the above .

 

[Hassan Guy]

Fast Attack Craft Missile project.
Because that's the most indigenous program.

Indigenous design
Built in Pakistan
Stealth
Equipped with indigenously developed weapons and sensors.
http://www.karachishipyard.com.pk/k...usly-designed-fast-attack-craft-missile-no-4/

We can get subs and frigates from anyone(even with joint-production), but this is the most impactful program.

 

[Advocate Pakistan]

Fast Attack Craft Missile project.
Because that's the most indigenous program.

Indigenous design
Built in Pakistan
Stealth
Equipped with indigenously developed weapons and sensors.
http://www.karachishipyard.com.pk/k...usly-designed-fast-attack-craft-missile-no-4/

We can get subs and frigates from anyone(even with joint-production), but this is the most impactful program.

Still waiting to see no 4 missile craft which is allegedly indigenous.

 

[cabatli_53]

Acc to a credible source,

-Turkish Eximbank and Pakistani Central bank is working on detail/guarantee issues of credit for Milgem. The construction will commence when credit guarantee contract have been signed.
-A second contract for Milgem with a new costumer has almost came to signature phase.

 

[Advocate Pakistan]

Acc to a credible source,

-Turkish Eximbank and Pakistani Central bank is working on detail/guarantee issues of credit for Milgem. The construction will commence when credit guarantee contract have been signed.
-A second contract for Milgem with a new costumer has almost came to signature phase.

I wish we had the money. Than Pakistan would have been the first customer to operate MILGEM but, this alliance with US has drained us economically.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Acc to a credible source,

-Turkish Eximbank and Pakistani Central bank is working on detail/guarantee issues of credit for Milgem. The construction will commence when credit guarantee contract have been signed.
-A second contract for Milgem with a new costumer has almost came to signature phase.

JUICY NEWS

Milgem Arrival and T-129 would be special day in Pakistan

 

[cabatli_53]

JUICY NEWS

Milgem Arrival and T-129 would be special day in Pakistan

Milgem is OK and I expect a close partnership/cooperation for heavier, faster Atak-II with huge domestic input including TS-1400 turbo-shaft engine + 30 minutes dry-run capable gearbox that will never be affected by any foreign wishes, would be perfect for both country. T-129 Atak deal will ease the partnership possibility for further Atak variant.

 

[Gryphon]

Acc to a credible source,

-Turkish Eximbank and Pakistani Central bank is working on detail/guarantee issues of credit for Milgem. The construction will commence when credit guarantee contract have been signed.
-A second contract for Milgem with a new costumer has almost came to signature phase.

US didn't allow installation of Harpoon's on MRTP-33.

A sizable existing stock of RGM-84 Harpoon's is one of the reasons that made PN look at the Milgem Ada class.

 

[syed_yusuf]

US didn't allow installation of Harpoon's on MRTP-33.

A sizable existing stock of RGM-84 Harpoon's is one of the reasons that made PN look at the Milgem Ada class.

what are the chances that US will block installing RGM84 on Ada class for PN?

How can PN do this blunder of buying a platform without clearing all concerns?

 

[Gryphon]

what are the chances that US will block installing RGM84 on Ada class for PN?

How can PN do this blunder of buying a platform without clearing all concerns?

I haven't seen a single picture of Turkish Navy Ada class corvette's with RGM-84 Harpoon launchers installed. I am skeptical if US has allowed the same with Turkish Navy. @cabatli_53

After PN retires the remaining 4 Type 21's, PN will have only 1 ship (PNS Alamgir) capable of deploying the Harpoon. Which could be the reason why PN is looking at Turkish corvette's instead of the Chinese ones.