Pakistan Navy Commissions Second Type 054A/P Frigate

Chinese-made Pakistan Navy’s Type 054 frigate, PNS Taimur was commissioned at Hudong Zhonghua (HZ) Shipyard, in a ceremony headed by Pakistan Navy Mission at China Commodore Rashid Mehmood Sheikh.

The ceremony was also attended by high level dignitaries from BOMETEC, OIMC, State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND), China’s PLA Navy and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) besides Chairmen of China Shipbuilding Trading Company (CSTC) & HZ Shipyard along with prominent figures of Pakistan community in China.

In his speech,  Commodore Rashid said that the induction of state-of-the-art Type 54A/P Frigates will significantly enhance Pakistan Navy capabilities in strengthening defence of sea frontiers.

He praised the concerted efforts made by CSSC, CSTC, China Ship Development & Design Centre (CSDDC), HZ Shipyard and PLA-Navy for the landmark achievement by timely delivery of the well-equipped and potent frigate.

PNS Taimur is the second ship of four Type 54A/P Frigates constructed for Pakistan Navy. The first 54 A/P Frigate PNS Tughril has joined the service’s fleet in January 2022, while another two frigates of same class are presently under construction at China.

China and Pakistan signed the contract for four Type 054A/Ps for the Pakistan Navy in June 2018. The first hull of this class was launched in Shanghai in August 2020, and it was delivered to the Pakistan Navy in November 2021.

According to the contract, all four ships are built in China and the first two are expected to be delivered to the customer by year-end. An additional contract for two more ships was announced in June 2018.—shp/adj/aaa (Image: Pakistan Navy)