Steel-cutting of the fourth F22P Frigate at the KSEW

A steel-cutting ceremony of the first F22P Frigate, being built for the Pakistan Navy, was held at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) on Thursday.Federal Minister for Defence Production Abdul Qayyum Khan Jatoi was the chief guest of the ceremony that was attended by the Ambassador of Peoples Republic of China in Pakistan, senior Chinese delegates and high ranking civil and military officials from China and Pakistan. The construction of the first F22P Frigate at KSEW reveals that policymakers are confident that the Karachi Shipyard can undertake the in-country construction of an extremely sophisticated modern naval platform, a KSEW announcement read.

It stated that the F22P ships are capable frigates, which will add a great punch to our fleet and will be able to radiate potent power at sea. They are 123 meter-long ships with nearly 3,000 tons displacement and practically 30 knots of speed.The ships are equipped with long range surface to surface missiles, surface to air missiles, torpedoes, latest automatic 76 MM guns, state of the art homing weapon system, sophisticated long range sensors, radars, sonars, electronic warfare systems and an advanced Command and Control system. The ships can also carry an advanced helicopter.

On the occasion, the chief guest praised the remarkable turn around of KSEW and was impressed by seeing all the departments buzzing with activity.KSEW Managing Director Vice Admiral (Retd) Iftikhar Ahmed Rao said that KSEW is progressing rapidly to maximise its output and thus contribute in developing the national economy and self reliance in the field of shipbuilding.

Posted in: China,Frigates,Naval,Pakistan