Eye On Indian Ocean, China Gives Its Largest Warship To Pak

*The new frigate, PNS Tughril, was commissioned in Shanghai on Monday. Photo: Weibo*

Beijing– China has delivered its largest and most advanced warship to Pakistan as it seeks to beef up the navy of its all-weather ally in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, where it has increased its own naval presence in recent years.

Designed and built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC), the frigate was delivered to the Pakistan Navy in a commissioning ceremony in Shanghai, the CSSC announced in a statement on Monday.

The Type 054A/P frigate was named the PNS Tughril, state-run Global Times reported on Tuesday.

Pakistani Ambassador to China Moin ul Haque said the commissioning of the PNS Tughril ensures balance of power in the Indian Ocean.

In the context of the overall security paradigm of the region, Tughril-class frigates will strengthen Pakistan Navy’s capabilities to respond to maritime challenges to ensure seaward defence, maintain peace, stability and balance of power in the Indian Ocean region, he said, according to the Global Times report.

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The PNS Tughril is the first hull of four Type 054 frigates being constructed for the Pakistan Navy and the vessel is a technologically advanced and highly capable platform with enormous surface-to-surface, surface-to-air and underwater firepower, besides extensive surveillance potentials, the daily quoted a Pakistan Navy’s statement.

Being equipped with state-of-the-art combat management and an electronic warfare system along with modern self-defence capabilities, the Type 054A/P frigate can simultaneously execute a number of naval warfare missions in a highly intense multi-threat environment, it said.

The frigate is the largest and most advanced warship China has ever exported, the CSSC said.

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