China has rolled out the first of four advanced combat ships it is currently manufacturing for Pakistan as part of the two countries' extensive defense and economic pact.
The Pakistani Navy on Sunday announced that it has unveiled its first Chinese-built Type-054 Class Frigate, as both nations are engaged in border friction with their common neighbor, India.
The new warship, equipped with modern weaponry, battle management controls and high-tech monitoring equipment, will be among the cutting-edge surface platforms of Pakistan's Navy.
Two versions of the frigates were approved by the Pakistani Navy in 2017 and a deal for two more Chinese-made warships was announced the following year.
In 2019, China started manufacturing the first of four frigates for Pakistan as part of an arms agreement aimed at maintaining the "balance of power" in the Indian Ocean. All four warships are scheduled to be shipped to Pakistan next year, which Chinese media stated could double the power of Pakistan's naval capability.
Pakistani Navy Commodore Azfar Humayun was the special guest during the warship's launching on Sunday held at China's Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai and attended by other top-ranking navy officials.
Hamayun lauded the professional capabilities of the shipyard personnel for completing the project on schedule despite the ongoing global health crisis. The warship's price tag was not disclosed, but based on estimates it is worth over $350 million.
Pakistan is currently boosting its naval fleet, with the acquisition of multiple high-technology combat systems. On top of its newest procurement from China, the country will also deploy new Turkish-built corvettes and offshore patrol vehicles built by the Netherlands. A major upgrade to Pakistan's submarine fleet is also underway.
China and Pakistan are investing in a joint weapons program, including the sophisticated JF-17 multirole fighter jet, demonstrating the country's robust mutual defense relations. But detractors view the investments as a burden for cash-strapped Pakistan.
