F-22P frigate boost for Pak Navy

KARACHI - The first F-22 P Frigate of Pakistan Navy PNS Zulfiqar, constructed in China, arrived here on Saturday amid ongoing Naval exercise in the Arabian Sea. An ISPR (Navy) press release issued here on Saturday said that the ship was welcomed by the PN surface and aviation units conducting exercise. PNS Zulfiqar also participated in its very first naval exercise which was witnessed by Commander Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Asif Sandila. Upon completion of exercise, the ship proceeded to Karachi Harbour where it was given a warm welcome by Pakistan Navy officers and men. PNS Zulfiquar is the first of the series of four ships being constructed in collaboration with China at Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. The second and third ships are also nearing completion and expected to be handed over to Pakistan in the first and third quarter of 2010. The fourth ship is under construction at Karachi Shipyard and is to be completed by 2013. F-22 P frigate is a Sword Class Ship equipped with long range surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, depth charges, torpedoes, latest automatic 76mm guns, Close-in-Weapon System (CIWS), sensors, Electronic Warfare and advanced Command and Control System. The ship has a displacement of 3,000 tons and carries Anti Submarine Z9EC helicopters. The first batch of two helicopters has already arrived in Pakistan. Formal induction ceremony of the ship in PN Fleet would be held in the third week of September.