New Delhi: China is all set to provide its ally Pakistan with one of the ‘most advanced’ naval warships as a part of a major bilateral arms deal between both the nations.
In a first, four naval warships will be exchanged between Pakistan and China to ensure a certain ‘balance of power’ in the Indian Ocean.
The advanced warship, which is currently under construction, is a version of the Chinese Navy’s most advanced guided missile frigate. State-owned defence contractor China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) has said that the naval warship will be equipped with modern detection and weapons systems as well as advanced radars and missiles. Besides, it will be capable of anti-ship, anti-submarine and air defence operations.
According to official reports, the warship “will be one of the largest and technologically advanced platforms of the Pakistani Navy and strengthen the country’s capability to respond to future challenges, maintain peace and stability and the balance of power in the Indian Ocean region.”
At present, China is the largest supplier of weapons to Pakistan. Earlier, it had acquired Pakistan’s strategic Gwadar port under the multi-billion ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’ deal which aims to strengthen the diplomatic, economic, cultural and security ties between both the countries.
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Ms Kalinga