Feature 7 | PAKISTAN


Chinese play key role in Pakistan’s new naval projects


Underscoring the growing relationship between Pakistan and China in the field of naval shipbuilding are two significant projects involving technology transfer from China Shipbuilding & Trading Company (CSTC)/ China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co Ltd (CSOC) to Karachi Shipbuilding & Engineering Works (KS&EW).


T


he first is the indigenous construction of an F-22P Zulfiquar class frigate. Te second is the new


Azmat class missile armed fast attack craſt (FAC) project – with parallel construction taking place in China and KS&EW. Other than the Agosta 90B submarine project, the F-22P is the most ambitious warship project undertaken by Pakistan. Construction of the fourth F-22P frigate,


PNS Aslat, commenced at KS&EW in March 2009, followed by keel-laying in January 2010. Using modular construction methods, the frigate was launched in a largely completed state after about 18 months in June 2011. On completion of outfitting, Harbour Acceptance Trials (HATs) commenced in February of 2012. According to KS&EW officials, Sea


Acceptance Trials (SAT) would have commenced by now were it not for unfavourable weather conditions. As such, SATS are now expected to commence in September 2012. Delivery is planned for April 2013, although it could take place much sooner if the SATS run smoothly. Te F-22P frigates, which were designed


to bespoke Pakistani requirements by the Chinese ship design bureau, have a length of 123m, a beam of 13.20m, a maximum draught of 5.1m and a full load displacement of 3000+tonnes. Tey have a Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) propulsion arrangement with four Pielstick diesels controlled by a MTU Callosum integrated platform machinery control


system. MTU also supplies


the onboard generators. The vessel’s maximum speed is quoted as 29knots and range is 4000nm. Te ship’s complement is 183. While the combat systems are almost wholly of Chinese origin, crucially,


32


PNS Saif is the third example of the Zulfiquar class.


the sonar system is an Atlas Elektronik ASO-94 system. It is expected that another batch of four


follow-on frigates will be ordered in due course. Indications from Pakistan Navy officials suggest that these are likely to use the same hullform as the F-22P but with improvements to machinery systems as well as combat systems such as vertically launched missiles. Te FAC project is notable because these


are the largest such vessels in the Pakistan Navy to date. Earlier acquisitions were limited to ships of about 34-38m, whereas these ships are 60m long. Initially, the project is for two ships but it is likely to be expanded to 6-8 units in due course. Clearly, the larger platform offers greater endurance, better sea keeping characteristics as well as operational flexibility. The first fast attack craft (missile)


(FACM), Azmat, was laid down at Tianjin Xingang Shipyard in China in March 2011


and launched on September 23, 2011. Azmat had commenced sea trials by March 2012 ahead of planned delivery in April. Steel cutting for the KS&EW-built ship,


Dehshat commenced in July 2011 followed by keel laying in October 2011. Launching is slated for end May 2012 and delivery in October 2012. The FACs have a length of 60m, a


beam of 8m, a draught of 1.85m and a displacement of circa 560tonnes. Tey are being built using modular construction methods from 39 pre-outfitted blocks. Tey are to a classic FAC design with four screws driven by MTU engines. Te hull has a pair of fin stabilisers as well as a stern plate. Ships complement is 38 persons. The vessels have a large, stealthy


superstructure as well as a gated stern ramp for launching and recovering a large rigid-hull inflatable boat. Te missile suite consists of two sets of quad launchers for C-802A surface to surface missiles (SSM)


Warship Technology May 2012


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