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Second Frigate will further boost Pak Navy’s combat capabilities. Taimur is technologically competent and technologically powerful maritime asset equipped with advanced combat management
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BEIJING: The Pakistan Navy received the second Type 054A/P frigate (PNS Taimur) from China on Thursday, significantly boosting the country’s ambitions to reinforce its maritime frontiers.
According to the state-run Global Times, PNS Taimur was commissioned at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, China. This is the second of the four Type 054 A/P frigates China produced for the Pakistan Navy. In January, the Pakistan Navy Fleet received its first Type 054A/P frigate, the PNS Tughril. The other two are being built in China.
Taimur is a competent and technologically powerful maritime asset equipped with advanced combat management, electronic warfare systems, and high-tech weapons and sensors to fight in multi-threat environments, Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
The ships will provide the Pakistan Navy with a sustainable boost in combat power and allow it to take on new challenges in maritime security and regional peace.
Commodore Rashid Mehmood Sheikh, head of the Pakistan Navy Mission in China, attended the event as the chief guest. In his remarks, Commodore Rashid emphasized that the addition of the advanced frigates will considerably improve the Pakistan Navy’s capabilities in fortifying the defense of maritime borders.
He further lauded the PLA Navy and the Chinese shipbuilding industry for their collaborative efforts in achieving the landmark objective of delivering the well-equipped and powerful frigate on time.
Later, the deputy director-general of the military product department of China emphasized that China and Pakistan are aware of the evolving geopolitical situation and are acting proactively to face the new responsibilities and growing challenges together.
Zhang Junshe, a senior research fellow at the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Naval Military Studies Research Institute, told the Global Times that “the Type 054A, on which the Type 054A/P is based, is China’s most advanced frigate.”
A Technologically Advanced Warship
PNS Taimur is the export version of China’s one of the most technologically advanced warships ever constructed and commissioned, the Jiangkai II or 054A. The second of four guided-missile frigates to be supplied to Pakistan is projected to increase the combat capability and operational readiness of the Pakistani Navy.
PNS Taimur is equipped with electronic warfare systems, the latest surface, subsurface, and anti-air weapons, besides a battle management system. It is thought to be a replacement for the F-22P frigate.
This Pakistan’s Navy would be able to carry out both anti-surface and anti-submarine missions while being geared up for anti-air combat.
The Type 054-A/P is outfitted with the HQ-16 medium-range air-defense missiles with a maximum speed of 50 km. The warship also maintains stealth capabilities due to its sleek profile, radar-absorbent materials, and sloped hull design.
The ship is also equipped with two Type 730 7-barrel 30 mm CIWS guns or Type 1130, eight C-803 anti-ship/land-attack cruise missiles, a PJ26 dual-purpose naval gun, six 324mm Yu-7 ASW torpedo launchers, two Type 87 240mm anti-submarine rocket launchers (carrying 36 rockets), and two Type 726-4 18-tube decoy rocket launchers.
Senior research fellow at China Naval Research Academy, Zhang Junshe, told Global Times, “Compared to previous Chinese frigates, the new ship has better air defense capability, as it is equipped with an improved radar system and a larger amount of missiles with a longer range.”
Increasing Defense Cooperation
The Chinese 054A, based on the Pakistani variation Taimur, was commissioned in 2008. The first foreign buyer of this battleship was Pakistan.
In 2013, China attempted to export these warships to Thailand, but South Korean Gwanggaeto class destroyers ultimately won the contract for Thailand Navy.
Besides Taimur, China is also helping the Pakistan Navy build and acquire eight submarines of the Hangor class. According to reports, Pakistan opted to purchase eight submarines from China in 2015.
Four of the submarines will be built in Pakistan, and the remaining four will be built in China. All eight submarines are expected to be delivered between 2022 and 2028.
China has shipped six J-10CE fighter jets to Pakistan as part of its defense cooperation. The J-10C fighters also participated in the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad, which Pakistan used to demonstrate its military prowess.
With the sale of fighter jets to submarines, China has emerged as Pakistan’s most significant defense supplier.
Arms exports to Pakistan
According a IANS report, China has decided to increase its arms exports to Pakistan and take a major leap in its defence cooperation with Pakistan, initiating sale of arms ranging from stealth fighters to submarines, a move viewed as Beijings attempt to inflict more pressure on its border dispute rival India.
China is aiming to increase its defence expansion in South Asia, which would further multiply its influence in the region. It should be noted that China’s increase in defence cooperation comes at a time when the US and Europe are focused on the deteriorating situation arising out of the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
“Beijing stands ready to provide assistance within its capacity to Pakistan to overcome difficulties and recover its economy,” said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit to Islamabad as a special guest representative in the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) Conference of Foreign Ministers (CFM).
Earlier this month, China delivered six J-10CE fighter jets to Pakistan as part of its defence cooperation. The J-10CE jets were also part of the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on Wednesday, in which Pakistan showcased its military strength.
J-10CE is a 4.5-generation fighter jet, the make of which is among F-15s and F-35 stealth fighters in terms of capacity.
Pakistan has also added at least 50 new JF-17 fighters, developed jointly with China.
It is pertinent to mention that China’s increased defence cooperation with Pakistan is directly linked to India’s recently acquired Russian S-400 missile defence system.
China’s increased defence cooperation with Pakistan is being seen as a response to potential threat from Indian air operations.
China is also facilitating Pakistan’s naval capacity and capabilities as Islamabad inducted a Chinese-built Type 054 frigate, designed for anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare, with an aim to counter potential Indian threat of clouting important India-Pacific sea lanes.
It has been reported that Pakistan is also planning to purchase eight submarines from China, which Pakistan is positioning as the backbone of its navy.
It has also been stated that at least four will be built in China, while the remaining will be built in Pakistan.