Observer Report Shanghai
China has delivered to Pakistan the largest and most advanced warship Beijing has ever exported, in a move that highlights the friendship between the two countries and will contribute to their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.
Designed and built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC), the frigate was delivered to the Pakistan Navy (PN) in a commissioning ceremony in Shanghai.
The Type 054A/P frigate was named the PNS Tughril and it is the first hull of four Type 054 frigates being constructed for the PN.
The ship is a technologically advanced and highly capable platform with enormous surface-to-surface, surface-to-air and underwater firepower, besides extensive surveillance potentials.
Being equipped with state-of-the-art combat management and an electronic warfare system along with modern self-defense capabilities, the Type 054A/P frigate can simultaneously execute a number of naval warfare missions in a highly intense multi-threat environment, Global Times reported on Tuesday.
The frigate is the largest and most advanced warship China has ever exported, CSSC said in a statement.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Moin ul Haque said that the commissioning of the PNS Tughril ushers in a new chapter in Pakistan-China friendship that has matured through the test of time and remained steadfast in all domains, according to the statement from the PN.
In the context of the overall security paradigm of the region, Tughril-class frigates will strengthen PN’s capabilities to respond to maritime challenges to ensure seaward defense, maintain peace, stability and balance of power in the region of Indian Ocean, the ambassador said, who also praised the concerted efforts made by China for the landmark achievement by the timely delivery of the well-equipped and potent frigate despite the global pandemic.
