Pakistan's navy on Monday inducted the first of the four Tughril-class guided-missile frigates built by China into its fleet, said an official statement. The PNS Tughril is Commissioned at Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. The ship was launched last year in august also at Hudong Zhonghua. The Chinese navy has had these ships under the Type-054A Class ship since 2008.
The PNS Tughril is named after Tugrul I, one of the early founders of the historical Seljuk Empire that ruled in present-day Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey during the 11th and the 14th centuries.
In addition to significant monitoring capabilities, the vessel is outfitted with surface-to-surface and anti-air armament, battle management systems, and underwater firepower.
He went on to say that the development represents a new chapter in the long-standing Sino-Pakistani relationship.
Islamabad inked a deal with China Shipbuilding Trading Company Ltd. (CSTC) in 2017 to deliver two Type-054 A/P frigates. In June 2018, a contract for two other ships was inked. One ship is being built in China, while the other two will be launched in Karachi. The other three ships are at various stages of completion. The second was launched into the water in January. Around the beginning of August, the third ship was launched. Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard is building the fourth and last frigate. It is scheduled to be released later this year. The remaining ships are scheduled to be delivered by 2022.
Since 2008, at
least 30 Type 054A frigates have entered service with the PLAN, according to
the US Office of Naval Intelligence 2020.
