Zulfiquar-class frigate
{{Short description|Class of Pakistan Navy frigates}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image = F-22P PNS Zulfiquar.JPG | Ship caption = {{ship|PNS|Zulfiquar|251|6}} anchored in Port Klang in Malaysia in 2009. }} {{Infobox ship class overview |Name= Zulfiqar class |Builders= |Operators=Pakistan Navy |Class before={{sclass|Tariq|destroyer|4}} |Class after=* Tughril-class frigate
|Subclasses=Type 053H3 frigate |Cost=*$750 million USD (4 Ships){{cite web |title=Sword / F-22P Class Frigates – Naval Technology |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/sword-f22p/ |website=Naval Technology |publisher=Naval Technology |access-date=19 September 2018}}
|Built range=2006–2009 |In service range=2008–present |In commission range=2009–present |Total ships building= |Total ships planned= 4 |Total ships completed= 4 |Total ships cancelled= |Total ships active= 4 |Total ships laid up= |Total ships lost= |Total ships retired= |Total ships preserved= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship type = Guided missile frigate{{cite web |title=PNS Zulfiqar (251) Guided-Missile Frigate Warship – Pakistan |url=https://www.militaryfactory.com/ships/detail.asp?ship_id=pns-zulfiquar-251-frigate-warship-pakistan-navy |website=militaryfactory.com |publisher=militaryfactory |access-date=11 December 2018}} | Ship displacement = *2,500 tonnes (standard){{cite web|url=http://www.karachishipyard.com.pk/products/f22p.htm |access-date=30 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602214510/http://www.karachishipyard.com.pk/products/f22p.htm|title=F22P Frigate |work=Karachi Shipyard|archive-date=2 June 2009 }}[http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=*4275032 Defense News]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} | Ship length = {{convert|123.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|13.8|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship height = | Ship draught = {{convert|3.76|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship power = | Ship propulsion = * CODAD
| Ship speed = {{convert|29|kn|km/h|lk=in}} maximum | Ship range = {{convert|4000|nmi|km|abbr=on|lk=in}} | Ship endurance = | Ship troops = | Ship complement = 15 Officers, 200 Enlists | Ship crew = | Ship time to activate = | Ship sensors = * SUR 17 / Type 517 long range radar air surveillance radar
| Ship EW = * RWD-8 intercept, NJ8I-3 jammer
| Ship armament = * Guns:
| Ship armour = | Ship armor = | Ship aircraft = 1 × Harbin Z-9EC ASW helicopter | Ship aircraft facilities = Flight deck and enclosed hangar | Ship notes = }} |
The Zulfiqar-class frigate ({{langx|ur|ذوالفقار|lit=Sword}}), also known as F-22P or in English: Sword class,{{cite web |title=Commissioning of F-22P frigate held in Shanghai |url=http://pk.china-embassy.org/eng/zbgx/t646585.htm |website=pk.china-embassy.org |publisher=Embassy of China, Islamabad |access-date=4 November 2019 |location=Karachi |language=en |date=20 December 2009}} is a class of multi-mission guided missile frigates, in service with the Pakistan Navy.{{cite book |last1=Iqbal |first1=Saghir |title=Pakistan's War Machine: An Encyclopedia of its Weapons, Strategy and Military Security: Pakistan's War Machine: An Encyclopedia of its Weapons, Strategy and Military Security |date=2018 |publisher=Saghir Iqbal Co. |isbn=9781986169424 |pages=290 |edition=1st |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FGdaDwAAQBAJ&dq=f-22p+Zulfiqar+class&pg=PA164 |language=en |chapter-format=google books |chapter=§(Pakistan Navy)}} The class is based on an updated model of the Chinese design, the Type 053H3.{{Cite news|url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/sword-f22p/|title=Sword / F-22P Class Frigates – Naval Technology|work=Naval Technology|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-GB}} The frigates were designed and built jointly in Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China and the KS&EW Ltd. in Pakistan.{{rp|108–109}}{{cite book |last1=Small |first1=Andrew |author-link1= |title=The China-Pakistan Axis: Asia's New Geopolitics |date=2015 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=United Kingdom |isbn=9780190210755 |pages=288 |edition=1st |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z8CHCwAAQBAJ&dq=f-22p+zulfiquar+class&pg=PA304 |access-date=20 September 2018 |language=en-gp |chapter-format=google books |chapter=The Trade Across the Roof to the World}}
The frigates perform missions including air defense, enemy interdiction, extraction and patrolling the economic exclusive zone (EEZ).{{cite web|title=Sword / F-22P Class Frigates, Pakistan|url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/sword-f22p/|publisher=Naval Technology|access-date=10 May 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3472967&c=SEA&s=ASI|title=Pakistan Gets New Chinese Frigate|author=Wendell Minnick|date=2008-04-10|publisher=DefenseNews|access-date=2008-10-21}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\story_24-1-2010_pg7_25|title=Second F-22 P frigate arrives in Karachi|date=2010-01-24|newspaper=Daily Times (Pakistan)|access-date=2010-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129065025/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C01%5C24%5Cstory_24-1-2010_pg7_25|archive-date=29 January 2010|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://paksoldiers.com/pakistan-navy/pakistan-navy-commissions-fourth-f-22p-frigate/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630025629/http://paksoldiers.com/pakistan-navy/pakistan-navy-commissions-fourth-f-22p-frigate/|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 June 2013|title=Pakistan Navy Commissions Fourth F-22p Frigate|date=18 April 2013|work=paksoldiers.com|access-date=18 April 2013}}
History
=Negotiation, procurement, and development=
After the return of the {{sclass|Garcia|frigate|0}} and {{sclass|Brooke|frigate|1}}s in 1994, Pakistan entered in negotiation with China to jointly built and design the class of four frigates in 1996–1999.{{rp|341}}{{cite book |last1=Aldkerwick |first1=Jason |display-authors=etal |title=The Military Balance |date=2009 |publisher=Routledge |location=New York, U.S. |isbn=9781351225922 |pages=500 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4lFHDwAAQBAJ&dq=f-22p++1990s&pg=PA341 |access-date=21 September 2018 |language=en-us |chapter-format=google books |chapter=Central and South Asia}} Initial interests were directed towards procuring the Type 053 and Type 054 frigates in 2004, eventually signing a bilateral agreement with China to design the frigates influenced from both designs at the initial price of $600 million USD with the conclusion of the technology transfer to Pakistan on 4 April 2006.{{rp|391}}{{cite book |last1=Fagoyinbo |first1=Joseph Babatunde |title=The Armed Forces: Instrument of Peace, Strength, Development and Prosperity |date=2013 |publisher=AuthorHouse |location=UK |isbn=9781477226476 |pages=475 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qM0uxPH8RasC&dq=f-22p+zulfiquar+type+054&pg=PA391 |access-date=21 September 2018 |language=en |chapter-format=google books |chapter=§Pakistan Navy PN}}
The contract was expanded with China as the Pakistan Navy ordered to equip the Zulfiquar class with six Z-9EC helicopters with anti-submarine capability and additional ammunition according to their specifications, concluding the final cost at $750 million USD.{{cite news |title=Pakistan gets Chinese F-22P frigates – Rediff.com India News |url=http://news.rediff.com/report/2009/sep/12/pakistan-gets-chinese-frigates.htm |access-date=22 September 2018 |work=news.rediff.com |agency=Rediff news |date=19 September 2009}} The Chinese government awarded the contract to the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, where the last three ships were constructed and built, while Pakistan awarded the contract to KS&EW Ltd. for the construction and development of the last ship.{{cite web |last1=KSEW |first1=staff |title=Launching Ceremony – F22P Frigate |url=http://www.karachishipyard.com.pk/custom-post/launching-ceremony-f22p-frigate/ |website=karachishipyard.com.pk |publisher=Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited |access-date=22 September 2018}}
The lead ship, {{ship|PNS|Zulfiquar|251|6}}, was launched in Shanghai on 5 April 2008, and completed several sea trials in China.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/china-expands-military-ties-with-pakistan/ |title=China Expands Military Ties With Pakistan |access-date=2008-10-21 |author= Farhan Bokhari |date= 2008-04-05 |work= CBS News}} On the way to Pakistan, Zulfiquar, under the command of Captain Zahid Ilyas paid a goodwill visit to Port Klang in Malaysia in August 2009, and also paid a goodwill visit to Colombo Port in Sri Lanka where she was visited by the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, on 5 September 2009.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}
PNS Zulfiquar was commissioned into the Pakistan Navy by then-Rear Admiral Asif Sandila (senior fleet commander of the Surface Command), which was docked at the Karachi Port on 15 September 2009.{{cite news |last1=UPI |first1=UPI |title=Pakistan gets first Sword-class frigate |url=https://www.upi.com/Pakistan-gets-first-Sword-class-frigate/57151253027400/ |access-date=22 September 2018 |work=UPI |date=19 September 2009 |language=en}}
The second frigate of her class, PNS Shamsheer, was launched on 31 October 2008, and commissioned on 19 December 2009 at Shanghai.{{cite web |url=http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/pn_event_pr3.htm |title=.: PAKISTAN NAVY :. A Silent Force to Reckon with... [ a 4 dimensional force] |website=paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208092547/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/pn_event_pr3.htm |archive-date=8 December 2008 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|author=John Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2009/06/mil-090605-irna02.htm |title=Pakistan Navy to get first F-22P Chinese Frigate in August |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |date=2009-05-28 |access-date=2015-03-06}} PNS Shamsheer reported to its base on 23 January 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.emoiz.com/commissioning-of-f-22p-%C2%91shamsheer%C2%92-frigate-held-in-shanghai/|title=Pakistan's Commissioning of F-22P Shamsheer frigate held in Shanghai|access-date=2010-01-10|date=2010-01-10|publisher=Emoiz|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729184650/http://www.emoiz.com/commissioning-of-f-22p-%C2%91shamsheer%C2%92-frigate-held-in-shanghai/|archive-date=29 July 2012}}
The third frigate of her class, PNS Saif, was commissioned in the Navy on 15 September 2010.{{cite web |url=http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=96869 |title=The News International: Latest News Breaking, Pakistan News |publisher=Thenews.jang.com.pk |access-date=2015-03-06 }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}
The fourth and last frigate PNS Aslat was built with transfer of technology at the KS&EW Ltd. and commissioned on 17 April 2013.{{cite news|title=F-22P frigate inducted into PN fleet|url=http://x.dawn.com/2013/04/18/f-22p-frigate-inducted-into-pn-fleet/|access-date=7 August 2013|work=Dawn|location=Pakistan|date=18 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203035120/http://x.dawn.com/2013/04/18/f-22p-frigate-inducted-into-pn-fleet/|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Pakistan commissions last Zulfiquar frigate|url=http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2013/04/25/Pakistan-commissions-last-Zulfiquar-frigate/UPI-99001366862760/|access-date=7 August 2013|work=United Press International|date=25 April 2013}}
In 2010, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Numan Bashir, quoted in the media of the Navy's intention to expand its fleet by procuring additional ships.{{cite web|url=http://www.klsreview.com/HTML/2010Jan_Jun/20100531_03.html|title=Pakistan needs more F-22Ps, not Type 054A|work=KLS Review website|publisher=Klsreview.com|location=Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia|access-date=2 June 2010}} In 2015, it was reported that Pakistan Navy awarded the contract to the KS&EW Ltd. to build two more Zulfiquar-class frigates, which as of September 2018 are being constructed.{{cite web |last1=Martin |first1=Guy |title=Karachi Shipyard to build two more F-22P frigates for Pakistan Navy |url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28473:karachi-shipyard-to-build-two-more-f-22p-frigates-for-pakistan-navy&catid=112:ideas-2012&Itemid=254 |website=defenceweb.co.za |publisher=Defence web |access-date=22 September 2018 |language=en-gb |date=11 November 2012}}{{cite news |last1=Ansari |first1=Usman |title=Pakistan shops for warships to replace British frigates, modernize Navy |url=https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2017/12/27/pakistan-shops-for-warships-to-replace-british-frigates-modernize-navy/ |access-date=24 September 2018 |work=Defense News |date=27 December 2017}}
Design and technology
The Zulfiquar class hull uses many of the radar cross-section reduction features of the Chinese Type 054 frigate to help it evade detection by radar mounted on other ships, aircraft and anti-ship missiles.{{cite news|last=A. Khan|first=Iftikhar|title=China to build frigates for Pakistan|url=http://archives.dawn.com/2008/04/05/top10.htm|access-date=7 August 2013|work=Dawn|location=Pakistan|date=5 April 2008}}
The armory features the Chinese engineered Russian patent, AK-176M–a 76.2 mm calibre– being the main artillery gun with the distinction of that the Chinese variant adopts the stealth turret to reduce radar cross-section. The gun is designed to engage enemy warships, aircraft and anti-ship missiles. In front of the main gun are two 6-cell RDC-32, the anti-submarine rocket launchers.
The Zulfiquar class is a guided missile frigate (FFG) with the introduction and the installation of the armament comprises eight C-802 "Eagle Strike", the Chinese manufactured subsonic surface-to-surface missiles, carried in two launchers with four cells each that are fitted between the foremast and the funnel. These containers are also compatible with the CY series anti-submarine rockets and may be loaded with a combination of anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons. In addition, the warships are installed with the FM-90N "Red Flag", a Chinese-built surface-to-air missile system, is fitted between the main deck and main gun.
The launch pad has eight cells each containing one missile and is fitted on a mount that can be elevated and traversed in the direction of the threat. The FM-90N can engage several targets, including supersonic and subsonic sea-skimming missiles, using different guidance modes simultaneously. The system is also designed to engage small targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).{{cite web|url=http://www.sinodefence.com/army/surfacetoairmissile/hongqi7.asp |access-date=24 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604084700/http://www.sinodefence.com/army/surfacetoairmissile/hongqi7.asp|title=HongQi 7 Surface-to-Air Missile System|work=Sino Defence|archive-date=4 June 2009 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/navalmissile/hq7naval.asp |access-date=24 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216152428/http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/navalmissile/hq7naval.asp|title=NAVAL HQ-7 Ship-to-Air Missile|work=Sino Defence |archive-date=16 February 2009 }}
A single Type 730B, a close-in weapon system (CIWS), is mounted on the aircraft hangar. Comprising two seven-barrel Gatling guns of 30 mm calibre, the F-22P is believed to be the first ship armed with the Type 730B.{{cite web |url=http://www4.janes.com/subscribe/idr/doc_view.jsp?K2DocKey=/content1/janesdata/mags/idr/history/idr2009/idr12238.htm@current&Prod_Name=IDR&QueryText= |title=Pakistan set to receive Type 730B close-in weapon system |access-date=2009-06-23 |date=2009-06-16 |publisher=Janes International Defence }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} which uses off-mount sensors such as the Type 347G radar and the OFC-3 electro-optic director.
The guns are mounted side by side on the aircraft hangar, with the off-mount sensors in between. The CIWS can be upgraded with the FL-3000N fire-and-forget missile system by installing up to two single-round FL-3000N launchers on each existing CIWS gun mount.
The Harbin Z-9EC anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter is equipped with a surface-search radar, low frequency dipping sonar, radar warning receiver, doppler navigation system and armed with torpedoes.{{cite web|url=http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=87912 |title=The News International: Latest News Breaking, Pakistan News |publisher=Thenews.jang.com.pk |access-date=2015-03-06 }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The helicopter can be armed with one torpedo on the starboard side.{{cite web |url=http://www.strategycenter.net/research/pubID.48/pub_detail.asp |title=International Assessment and Strategy Center > Research > Report on the International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) |publisher=Strategycenter.net |date=2004-10-29 |access-date=2015-03-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705191802/http://www.strategycenter.net/research/pubID.48/pub_detail.asp |archive-date=5 July 2014 }}
A small antenna on the roof may provide a data-link, allowing the Z-9 to act as a relay for targeting data between the ship and long range anti-ship missiles such as the C-802.{{cite web|url=http://cnair.top81.cn/z-8_z-9_z-11.htm|author=Hui Tong|title=Z-9C (AS-365F) Daulphin|access-date=3 September 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204023522/http://cnair.top81.cn/z-8_z-9_z-11.htm|archive-date=4 February 2009}}
Ships in class
Deployments
=War on Terror=
==Afghan war and Yemen conflicts==
{{Main|War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in North-West Pakistan|Saudi-led blockade of Yemen|Moro conflict}}
The lead warship, PNS Zulfiquar, has been deployed on operations in the War on Terror. She was attacked by AQIS-affiliated militants and rogue Pakistan Navy personnel who attempted to capture the ship and use it to attack US Navy vessels on 6 September 2014. The attack was foiled by Pakistan's Navy SEALs Teams. The attackers had intended to use Zulfiquar{{'}}s anti-ship missiles to attack the United States Navy Fleet in the Arabian Sea. Ten militants which included four rogue ex-Pakistani navy personnel were killed by Pakistani forces in their efforts to foil the capture attempt. Four other officers who were involved but who did not participate in the attack were later apprehended.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southasia-attacks-idUSKBN0HC0YS20140917|title=New al Qaeda wing in South Asia claims major attack|date=17 September 2014|work=Reuters}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/al-qaeda-militants-tried-to-seize-pakistan-navy-frigate-1410884514|title=Al Qaeda Militants Tried to Seize Pakistan Navy Frigate|date=16 September 2014|work=The Wall Street Journal}}
Gallery
PNS Zulfiquar (251), lead ship of the Zulfiquar-class frigates, during a visit to Port Klang, Malaysia, on 27 August 2009:
File:The side of the PNS Zulfiquar.jpg|The pennant number of PNS Zulfiquar.
File:C-802 anti ship missile.JPG|Two 4-cell C-802 anti-ship missile launchers.
File:ET-52C torpedoes.jpg|ET-52C torpedo launchers.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3472967 Defense News – Pakistan Gets New Chinese Frigate (7 April)]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
- [http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4212711 Defense News – China Delivers Frigate To Pakistan: Navy (30 Jul 2009)]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
- [http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=960623&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate= Business Recorder – Talks on with Germany, US for subs and frigates: F-22P Frigate arrives from China (13 September 2009)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928071446/http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=960623&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate= |date=28 September 2011 }}
{{Military of Pakistan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zulfiquar}}
Category:Ships built in Pakistan