The Diplomat:
In its quest for a wartime-capable surface fleet, the Pakistan Navy has signed an agreement for two more Type 054A Jiangkai II-class guided missile frigates with Chinese shipbuilder China Shipbuilding Trading Co Ltd. (CSTC), the service announced on social media on June 1.
The contract was signed at the Ministry of Defense Production in Rawalpindi, in a ceremony attended by the country’s Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations), Rear Admiral Faisal Rasul Lodhi and other high-ranking officials and dignitaries from both China and Pakistan.
“With the conclusion of this contract, Pakistan Navy will have a total of four Type 054A ships in its fleet by 2021,” the Navy said in the announcement. “The induction of these ships will substantially enhance Pakistan Navy’s war fighting capabilities while effectively contributing towards maritime security operations in the region.”
