Pakistan finalises China frigate deal

Pakistan has placed a $ 600-million defence deal with China, which includes construction of four F-22P frigates for the Pakistani Navy, upgrading of the Karachi dockyard and transfer of technology for indigenous production of modern surface fleet.

The deal has been finalised and the keel for construction of the F-22P frigates would be laid at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai this year. Under the deal, three frigates would be built in Shanghai and the fourth one would be constructed at Karachi dockyard which would also be upgraded to enable Pakistan to build its own fleet of frigates later.

The first frigate would be delivered to Pakistan in 2008 and the other three by 2013 along with transfer of technology.