ISLAMABAD: A ceremony to launch a highly advanced frigate manufactured for the Pakistan Navy by a shipyard in China was held in Shanghai, said an official statement issued by the naval headquarters in Islamabad on Saturday. 

This is the second Chinese frigate that has been built for Pakistan. The first one was launched at an elaborate ceremony held last year in August which was attended by relevant officials of the two countries. 

According to the official statement, Pakistan’s Chief Naval Overseer (China) Commodore Azfar Humayun participated in Saturday’s event as chief guest. 

Addressing the ceremony, he said that the induction of the new warships would significantly enhance Pakistan’s maritime defense and deterrence capabilities. 

He also acknowledged the commitment, hard work and timely completion of the project by the relevant Chinese company in Shanghai despite the ongoing global pandemic. 

“Type-054 Frigates will be among the most technologically advanced surface platforms of Pakistan Navy Fleet, fitted with latest surface, subsurface and anti-air weapon systems,” said the official statement. “The ships will be fitted with a range of electronic warfare, air and surface surveillance and acoustic sensors integrated through state-of-the-art Combat Management System.” 

The statement also informed that Pakistan had ordered four such frigates in 2017, adding that the ships were being delivered as per schedule. 

The ceremony in Shanghai coincided with the completion of 70 years of the China-Pakistan diplomatic relations which, the statement added, were “built upon historic bonds of friendship and mutual trust.”