India and Pakistan are engaged in a mini naval race. Last week India announced that it would purchase three advanced Krivak-class frigates from Russia for $1.6 billion. Pakistan has announced that it will buy four F-22P frigates from China, with the last unit to be constructed in Pakistan.
Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir said in Beijing that the deal would also allow for technology transfer for boosting Pakistan's indigenous production of modern warships.
The News International reported on May 23 that the frigates' keels would be laid at Shanghai's Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard later this year, with the first frigate scheduled for delivery in 2008.
The fourth frigate will be constructed in Pakistan at the Karachi Shipyard. Under the terms of the contract, the Karachi Shipyard will be upgraded and China will provide training and technical assistance to shipyard personnel.
The F-22P frigate will be equipped with helicopters specially designed to carry surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles along with advanced self-defense systems.
Tahir said, "Modalities of its design and configuration are in the final stages." He said signing contracts worth about $600 million was another milestone in ever-increasing bilateral relations between the two countries in the maritime sector.
Source: United Press International
