In a major achievement, China recently launched three warships in a single day. The vessels – a 071E landing platform dock (LPD) and two Type 054A frigates – were launched at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding yard near Shanghai.
According to Chinese media reports, Thailand ordered the 071E landing platform dock in 2019. Meanwhile, Pakistan ordered one of the two frigates. Important to note, Pakistan became the ship design’s first foreign customer under a 2017 deal for two Type 054A/P frigates. In 2018, Pakistan Navy ordered two more frigates. As a result, the deliveries began in 2021. Sources state the new PNS ShahJahan will join the other 3 Tughril class frigates, namely PNS Tughril, PNS Tipu Sultan, and PNS Taimur.
Read more: PNS Tughril: Pakistan Navy commissions lethal warship
Chief Guest, Cdre Rashid Mahmood Sheikh lauded support of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, China Shipbuilding Trading Company & HZ Shipyard for timely completion of the project. The induction of the warship will strengthen maritime defense and deterrence.
#China launches three warships in one day https://t.co/ZmJlToa15l
— Lucas Webber (@LucasADWebber) December 28, 2021
The warship for Pakistan Navy contains an SR2410C radar, a 3D multifunction electronically scanned array radar. Additionally, the new frigate has enormous firepower and surveillance potential. It even has the capability to take on multiple missions. Moreover, weighing over 4000 tonnes, the warships can also conduct intense anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine operations on the high seas.
Most importantly, the induction of these frigates will contribute to maintaining peace, stability, and power equilibrium in the Indian Ocean Region. Therefore, Pakistan is on a mission to modernize its naval fleet. Apart from Chinese warships, Pakistan is also looking forward to procuring corvettes from the Netherlands and Turkey.
Turkey, Pakistan begin constructing modern warship
Last month, the two countries began the construction of the fourth MILGEM Ada class corvette. In July 2018, Pakistan Navy signed a contract for the acquisition of four MILGEM-class ships with the ASFAT. According to the plan, two corvettes will be built in Turkey and the next two will be built in Pakistan, which also involves technology transfer.
MILGEM vessels are 99 meters (325 feet) long with a displacement capacity of 24,00 tons and can move at a speed of 29 nautical miles.
Read more: Pakistan Navy conducts bilateral exercise with Turkey
Moreover, the naval ships have state-of-the-art weapons including surface-to-surface, surface-to-air missiles, and anti-submarine weapons.