Pakistan Navy inducts most advanced Type 054A/P Frigate

Asia-Pacific, News November 11, 2021 , by IRIA 1 Comment

Pakistan Navy on November 8 inducted the first of the four “most advanced” Type 054A/P frigates into its fleet.

The frigate named ‘PNS Tughril’ was delivered to Pakistan Navy at a commissioning ceremony at Hudong Zhonghua (HZ) Shipyard in Shanghai, China. The warship has been designed and built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC). It is the largest and most advanced warship China has exported, CSSC said.

The first Type-054A/P frigate was commissioned after the third ship of Tughril class was launched in August this year. Pakistan signed a contract with China for two such frigates in 2017 and another two ships later in June 2018. The other three vessels are set to be delivered by 2022.

Type 054A/P multirole frigate

The Type 054A (Jiangkai II-class) is a version of the Chinese Navy’s most advanced guided-missile frigate. Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operates 31 of the frigates.

The Type 054A/P designed for Pakistan Navy “is a technologically advanced and highly capable Platform with enormous surface to surface, surface to air and underwater fire power besides extensive surveillance potential” the navy said in its statement. The multi-role ship is capable of simultaneously executing numerous naval warfare missions in an intense multi-threat environment.” It is also equipped with the latest combat management and electronic warfare system.

Pakistan-China defense partnership

Top Pakistani and Chinese officials attended the commissioning ceremony in Shanghai. Speaking at the event, Ambassador of Pakistan to China Moin ul Haq said the “PNS Tughril ushers in a new chapter in Pakistan–China friendship that has matured through the tests of times and remained steadfast in all domains.” Director of the Board CSSC Du Gang described the commissioning as “a major milestone and a testimony of Pak-China friendship.”

The frigate will bolster Pakistan Navy’s defense capabilities

Tughril class frigates would strengthen Pakistan Navy’s capabilities to respond to maritime challenges and maintain peace, stability, and balance of power in the Indian Ocean Region, the navy said. Commodore Rashid Mehmood Sheikh, the head of Pakistan Navy mission overseeing construction of 054A/P frigate, said that the Tughril class which is a multi-mission capable frigate “will form the mainstay of Pakistan Navy fleet” and bolster country naval power.

Pakistan’s Type 054A/P Frigate

Pakistan Navy’s Type 054A/P frigates will be reportedly equipped with these equipment and armaments: SR2410C phased radar and 32-cell Vertical Launching System (VLS) able to launch the YJ-12 anti-ship cruise missiles, eight C-803 anti-ship/land-attack cruise missiles, one PJ26 76mm dual-purpose naval gun, six 324mm Yu-7 ASW torpedo launchers, two Type 87 240mm anti-submarine rocket launcher and two Type 730 7-barrel 30mm CIWS guns.

Specifications

Length: 134 m
Beam: 16 m
Draft: 4.05 m
Top speed: 27 knots
Range: 8,000 nautical miles at 15 knots
Crew: 160 to 180
Displacement: 4,000 tons