BEIJING: Pakistan’s geographical location is significant, and the commissioning of four Chinese-built Type 054A/Ps frigates for the Pakistan Navy can assist in safeguarding international maritime sea lanes, said Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert.
On Wednesday, China delivered two Type 054A/P frigates to Pakistan, meaning the Pakistan Navy now owns all four warships. “The program represents the strong defence cooperation and friendship between China and Pakistan. According to analysts speaking to Global Times, the vessels are anticipated to protect regional peace and stability and Pakistan’s seaward defences.
The Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai hosted a joint delivery and commissioning ceremony for the two Type 054A/P frigates. The Pakistan Navy received the commissioning of its two newly constructed Type 054A/P frigates, the PNS Tippu Sultan and the PNS Shahjahan. The Pakistan Navy received its first ship in this category, the PNS Tughril, in December 2021, and its second, the PNS Taimur, was commissioned in June 2022.
Experts claim the Type 054A/P is one of the newest Chinese-made multi-role frigates. It is equipped with revolutionary CM-302 surface-to-surface missiles, LY-80 surface-to-air missiles, an Advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare suite, and a Combat Management System, which allows ships of this class to operate in multi-threat environments.
Song told Global Times that the delivery of the two frigates also meant that the Pakistan Navy’s primary combat ships were now more capable of engaging in all-out combat than their primary competitors. As a maritime nation, Pakistan has significant interests in maintaining the security of its seas, including the operationalization of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the international energy highway. –APP
