New and very interesting article from Janes Defence Weekly;
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Pakistan plans to bolster navy
Rahul Bedi JDW Correspondent
New Delhi
The Pakistan Navy (PN) is looking to bolster its frigate fleet as negotiations get under way to buy four second-hand frigates from Greece, in addition to finalising the acquisition of four Chinese frigates, to counter India's rapid naval expansion.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said that two 3,780-ton Elli-class (Kortenaer) frigates would be delivered later in 2006 and the rest in 2007. The comments came after he met his counterpart, Costas Karamanlis, in Athens on 15 May during a visit to Greece.
However, the onward sale of the ex-Royal Netherlands Navy's Kortenaer- class frigates is subject to approval from The Hague and Jane's understands that this has yet to be officially granted.
Under US sanctions throughout the 1990s for its clandestine nuclear programme, Pakistan has been acquiring military equipment from a variety of overseas sources to meet its defence needs and maintain parity with India.
In line with this, the PN's Chief of Staff, Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir, is currently in China to finalise details of the deal signed in 2005 for four modified Jiangwei II (Type 053H3) frigates, dubbed the F-22P for Pakistan.
Defence sources said three of the vessels would be built by the Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding Company with keel-laying scheduled for the Chinese-built lead unit in early 2007 and delivery planned two years later.
The Chinese shipbuilding conglomerate will also upgrade the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works in southern Pakistan to build and deliver the fourth F-22P frigate by 2013.
Beyond this, the navy is considering acquiring at least four further Chinese frigates: either larger and improved F-22P ships, or another design, such as China's Jiangkai (Type 054) class.
The PN is also believed to be evaluating the purchase of second-hand frigates displacing at least 2,800 tons from the US, Turkey and the Netherlands, but these acquisitions remain undefined. Adm Tahir recently stated that the PN was also assessing the purchase of four new corvettes of between 1,500 tons-2,000 tons, which would be built at KSEW alongside the F-22Ps.
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According to the above article, the PN's acquisition plans seem to be;
4 New-built frigates above 3500tons (Type-054?, MEKO?)
4 Used frigates from somewhere (done with Kortnaer Class)
4 New-built frigates between 2400tons and 2600tons (done with F-22P)
? Used frigates from U.S, Netherlands and Turkey (2~4, OHP and/or M Class?)
4 New-built corvettes between 1500ton and 2000 tons (MILGEM, Baynunah, MEKO?)
Earlier the PN said it required 3-5 additional SSK submarines to replace the Daphne and Agosta-70s; the DCN Marlin, HDW U-214 and Type-039G Song-Class are probably being considered. We also need to consider the fact that the Allouette-IIIs and Seakings will need to be replaced as well. So the Pakistan Government is serious about bolstering the navy up to proper standards in quality and quantity.
Regarding the Spruance offer, I believe the PN requested two Oliver Hazard Perry Class FFGs instead of the Spruance; remember the Spruance was offered on a grant basis (free), and I think the OHPs will eventually be offered on grant as well. If anything, I think the PN will procure two OHPs for free and buy two M-Class FFGs (Karel Doorman Class) from The Netherlands when they become available (2009-2012?). From Turkey I believe the PN will try to acquire the MILGEM Class Corvette with production capabilities, the PN currently needs four - but that number may rise if frigates cannot be procured.
