Pakistan navy gets its first fast-attack ship from China

BEIJING: Pakistan’s navy commissioned its first fast attack craft armed with missiles at a Chinese shipyard on Monday, with its chief admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila saying that the force was fully prepared to counter any elements challenging the country’s sovereignty.

Sandila was the chief guest at the commissioning of PNS Azmat, Pakistan’s first “fast attack craft (missile )” at Xingang shipyard in Tianjin. He said the vessel’s induction will supplement the Pakistani navy’s combat potential.

Describing the commissioning as a milestone in defence and strategic cooperation between Pakistan and China, Sandila said, “This ship’s immense firepower coupled with stealthy features makes it a real versatile platform which would not only prove vital for ensuring effective presence in our area of operations, but would bring a new dimension of operation of stealthy platform of this tonnage.”

Sandila said a second fast attack craft will be completed in Pakistan by the end of 2012.