http://www.network54.com/Forum/thread?foru...1&lp=1112652083


China to build four frigates for Pakistan

Yahoo News

50 minutes ago

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's navy signed contracts on Monday to have four frigates built in China, the defence ministry said on the eve of a visit by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

The F-22P frigates would be equipped with helicopters for anti-submarine warfare and with surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, a ministry statement said.

It did not say how much the contracts were worth or when the frigates would be ready, but it described the deal as a breakthrough in defence cooperation between Pakistan and China.

The ships would enhance the navy's operational capabilities and boost Pakistan's maritime defence, the ministry said. The announcement came on the eve of Wen's three-day visit.

China is a long-time ally of Pakistan and its main supplier of military equipment. In recent years, China has also improved relations with India, Pakistan's neighbour and main rival, which Wen will also visit during his tour of South Asia.

"The navy has been looking for frigates for a long time, this is one of its major deficiencies," said former Pakistani general and defence commentator Talat Masood.

"There's been a great improvement in their manufacturing ability in recent years," he said of China's shipbuilders

China to deliver Z-9C helicopters with F-22P frigates to Pakistan Navy


Pakistan invites China to hold 2nd joint naval exercise

BEIJING, July 8 (APP): Pakistan has invited China to hold second joint naval exercise to further enhance their professional capability. The invitation was formally extended by the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Shahid Karimullah during his meeting held with his Chinese counterpart. "The Chinese side gave a very favourable response to our invitation," the Naval Chief said while talking to APP.
The joint naval operation is likely to take place next year. The two sides had conducted their first-ever exercise in November, 2003 near the Shanghai coast."Now we have offered our Chinese friends to send their ships in Pakistan's sea water for a similar drill.

Shahid Karimullah who returned home Friday at the end of his five-day visit to China termed his talks with officials of Peoples' Liberation Army as highly productive. The two sides agreed to maintain frequent exchanges to benefit from each others experience, strengthening their defence potential. This was first time that the two navies have reached high-level collaboration. It was decided China will provide four F-22P advanced quality frigates to Pakistan by 2013. Of these, three will be manufactured in China, while one frigate will be built in Pakistan. First frigate will be available to Pakistan Navy within a period of three and half years.

Besides this, the Chinese side will also provide six medium-size standardized helicopters (Z-9C) to Pakistan Navy.