Phased Array radar, Vertical Launching Systems in Pakistan Navy’s Type 054A/P Frigates

Pakistan Navy’s Type 054A/P frigates, ordered from China will come equipped with an SR2410C phased radar and 32-cell Vertical Launching System (VLS) able to launch the YJ-12 anti-ship cruise missiles.

Other armaments include eight C-803 anti-ship / land-attack cruise missiles, one PJ26 76 mm dual-purpose naval gun, two Type 730 7-barrel 30 mm CIWS guns or Type 1130, six 324mm Yu-7 ASW torpedo launchers, two Type 87 240mm anti-submarine rocket launcher (36 rockets carried) and two Type 726-4 18-tube decoy rocket launchers, Daily Pakistan reported.

The Type 054A/P frigates are powered by four Shaanxi 16 PA6 STC diesel engines, each developing 5700 kW. The ships have a crew of 165 each and can reach a top speed of 27 knots with an estimated cruising range of 8,025 nautical miles (14,862 km), the report said.

Pakistan Navy Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi has said that Pakistan is looking forward to the acquisition of four modern Chinese frigates and eight height Hangor-class submarines.

In an interview with Global Times published on February 4, Adm Niazi has contracted four Type 054A/P frigates from China since 2017, and the first ship was launched in August 2020.

Adm Niazi added that Pakistan is also acquiring technology for in-country construction and four of the earlier mentioned submarines will be built in China whereas the other four will be constructed in Pakistan.

Besides these, other major programs include induction of long-range maritime patrol jets, unmanned combat aerial vehicles and modernizing the existing fleet with state-of-the-art weapons and surveillance systems. We are also looking at acquisition of modern helicopters, corvettes and shallow-water attack submarines, he said.