News
Friday, April 23, 2010
Pakistan to upgrade, strengthen naval fleetISLAMABAD: Pakistan has adopted a comprehensive strategy to increase, upgrade and strengthen its naval fleet in order to effectively face challenges of terrorism, piracy on the high seas and incidents of illegal activities in the sea, according to a press release issued from Malaysia. According to the press release, Pakistan Naval Staff Chief Admiral Noman Bashir made these comments, while talking to reporters on the second day of Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2010 exhibition, held in Kuala Lumpur, from 19th to 21st April. Bashir who is heading the Pakistan delegation to the DSA-2010 said as part of a comprehensive strategy, the Pakistan Navy is in the process of acquiring new ships, increasing its sea surveillance capability, improving and upgrading its submarine operations and strengthening its coastal patrolling capability. Elaborating, he said navy had already acquired two new F-22 frigates from China, the third vessel is to be commissioned in two to three months time, and a fourth one is being built in collaboration with Chinese ship builders at the Karachi shipyard. Bashir said the Pakistan Navy was also re-enforcing naval aviation by acquiring long-range maritime patrol aircrafts. Two US-built aircraft had already been acquired, whereas, two more are scheduled to arrive later. staff report
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk