China building ‘advanced’ warships for Pak.: report-It is a version of its most advanced guided missile frigate

• China is building the first of four “most advanced” naval warships for Pakistan as part of a major bilateral arms deal to ensure among other things “balance of power” in the strategic Indian Ocean, the state media reported.
• Equipped with modern detection and weapon systems, it will be capable of anti-ship, anti-submarine and air-defence operations.
• The under-construction ship is a version of the Chinese Navy’s most advanced guided missile frigate.
• China, an “all-weather ally” of Islamabad, is the largest supplier of weapon system to Pakistan.
• Both countries also jointly manufacturing the JF-Thunder, a single engine multi-role combat aircraft.
• The ship’s class is reported to be Type 054AP, which means it is based on the Type 054A of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.
• The Pakistani Navy previously said four such ships had been ordered, according to the report.

        ‘Balance of power’

• Once constructed, the warship will be one of the largest and technologically advanced platforms of the Pakistani Navy and strengthen the country’s capability to respond to future challenges, maintain peace and stability and the balance of power in the Indian Ocean region.
• It will also support the Pakistan Navy’s initiative of securing sea lanes for international shipping by patrolling distant waters.

The Hindu