Pakistan turns to China for modern frigates
The Pakistan Navy (PN) signed a deal with the China Shipbuilding Trading Company (CSTC) on 1 June for two additional Type 054A multi-mission frigates.
The signing for the 4,000t frigates took place at the Ministry of Defence Production in Rawalpindi, with price and close political alliance likely to have been a major factor in the decision. These platforms are set to constitute the navy’s most potent surface warships to date.
Pakistan ordered an initial two Type 054A frigates in 2017. This latest contract will ensure that the PN has a quartet of Type 054As operational by 2021, which indicates a
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Euronaval 2026: by the power of six, Fincantieri’s MMMV reflects modular naval shift]()
Euronaval 2026: by the power of six, Fincantieri’s MMMV reflects modular naval shift
The 50m, six-person ship from the Italian shipbuilder carries swappable, containerised payloads instead of a fixed mission, reflecting a shift that is becoming increasingly evident.
-
![Canada’s submarine availability under pressure as Chicoutimi is unlikely to return to front-line duties]()
Canada’s submarine availability under pressure as Chicoutimi is unlikely to return to front-line duties
HMCS Victoria and HMCS Windsor could return from their current deep maintenance, but unconfirmed operational timelines leave questions over patrol capacity before the first CPSP arrives.
-
![UK MoD faces ‘serious’ ASW gap as Defence Committee outlines Arctic requirements]()
UK MoD faces ‘serious’ ASW gap as Defence Committee outlines Arctic requirements
Anti-submarine warfare, uncrewed vessels and seabed monitoring top the demand list in the Defence Committee’s High North roadmap for the 2030s.
