Pakistan Navy inducts multi-role frigate developed by China

Karachi/Beijing, Jan 25: The Pakistan Navy has inducted the PNS Tughril, a multi-role frigate developed by China, into its fleet, which is to serve to safeguard the sea routes of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The induction of the PNS Tughril, the first of four Type 054A/P frigates being developed by China, was held at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi on Monday.
Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, the Pakistani Chief of the Naval Staff, said at the ceremony that the Type 054A/P is a potent platform, fitted with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors. The ship is designed for combat in a multi-threat environment, and equipped with supersonic surface-to-surface cruise missiles, air defense missiles, anti-submarine warfare torpedoes and the latest combat management and electronic warfare systems.
Niazi extended his gratitude to Admiral Dong Jun, commander of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, for his support during trials and commissioning of the PNS Tughril. China and Pakistan signed the contract for four Type 054A/Ps for the Pakistan Navy in June 2018.
The first hull of this class was launched in Shanghai in August 2020, and it was delivered to the Pakistan Navy in November 2021. China State Shipbuilding Corp, the maker of the ship, said the Tughril is the largest and most advanced surface combat vessel China has ever exported.
Other major naval projects undertaken and ongoing collaborations between the two countries include the F-22P frigates with organic Z-9 helicopters, survey vessel PNS Behr Masah, Azmat-class fast attack craft (missile) and Hangor-class submarines, Niazi said.
The Pakistan Navy has contracted construction of eight Hangor-class submarines, four Type 054A/P ships and medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicles from China, the Global Times reported. (UNI)