China delivers largest warship to Pakistan: PNS Tughril

Context

Recently, China handed over the first Type 054A/P frigate (warship) to Pakistan. It is named the PNS Tughril.

About PNS Tughril

• This ship for the Pakistan Navy is supposed to be a very technologically advanced warship.
• It is a capable platform with surveillance potential as well as the capability of underwater firepower, surface-to-air and surface-to-surface firepower.
• Has the onboard state of the art combat management system; modern self-defence capabilities as well as electronic warfare system.
• Type 054A/P frigates in a multi-threat environment have the capability of simultaneously executing several naval warfare missions.
• This is the first-ever that it has exported the largest and most advanced frigate.
• The new frigate has better air defence capabilities and is equipped with an improved radar system and there are a larger number of missiles with longer range.
• The Type 054A/P is based on Type 054A, which is China’s most advanced frigate.
• It has world-class stealth capability.

Concerns for India

• It will strengthen Pakistan Navy's capabilities to respond to maritime challenges.
• Besides the advanced naval ships, China also partners with the Pakistan Air Force to build JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft.
• Besides building its first military base in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa in the Indian Ocean, China has acquired Pakistan's Gwadar port in the Arabian Sea which connects with China's Xinjiang province by land in the USD 60 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
• China is also developing Sri Lanka's Hambantota port after it acquired it on 99 years' lease.
• The modernisation of the Pakistan Navy coupled with the acquisition of the naval bases was expected to shore up the Chinese Navy's presence in the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea.