Xingang Shipyard Delivers First Fast Attack Craft to Pakistan Navy

Yesterday, Xingang Shipyard handed over the First Fast Attack Craft (Missile) the PNS Azmat to the Pakistan Navy. The commissioning of PNS Azmat concluded the construction of the fast attack craft (missile) in China with the construction of a second craft to be completed in Pakistan by the end of 2012.

PNS Azmat is 63 meters long and has a beam of 8.8 meters with a displacement of 560 tons. It is equipped with state of the art weapons and sensors including surface to surface missiles and has stealth features.

PNS Azmat is the first of Azmat class fast attack craft (missile) vessels to join Pakistan Navy. Contract for construction of two fast attack craft was signed on the basis of transfer of technology. The first craft was to be built in China and the second is being constructed at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works.

China is a major weapons system supplier to Pakistan and it is deeply involved in a series of defence projects with its ally. This includes the joint development of the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet which will be manufactured by both countries with engines supplied by Russia.Also, a couple of frigates for the Pakistan Navy are also being constructed in china and at the moment few of them have been inducted into service.

TIANJIN XINGANG SHIPYARD built in 1940, located in Xingang, Tianjin, is the important base for repairing, conversion, building for vessels, offshore project, large onshore project in northern China. The yard accumulated abundant ship-repairing technology & engineering management, and have repaired vessels from Singapore, Greece, Polish, America, Russia, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong etc. In accordance with the general program of Tianjin Binhai New Area, the shipyard has moved to Lingang Economic Zone. The new shipyard covers an area of 3,500,000 square m and the coastline of 3,900 meters. Also, the shipyard constructed two shipbuilding dry-docks (one 520m ×110m ×13.3m and the other 440m ×80m ×13.3m) and two ship-repairing dry-docks ( one 300,000 DWT, and the other 500,000 DWT)

[mappress]
Naval Today Staff, April 24, 2012;