Pakistan to upgrade naval fleet
By IANSThursday, April 22, 2010
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has adopted a comprehensive strategy to increase, upgrade and strengthen its naval fleet to effectively face the challenges of terrorism and sea piracy, Navy Chief Admiral Noman Bashir said.
Bashir said the navy was in the process of acquiring new ships to increase its sea surveillance capability, improve and upgrade submarine operations and strengthen coastal patrolling.
The navy has already acquired two F-22 type frigates from China and two aircraft from the US, he told journalists Thursday at the Defence Services Asia Exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur, IRNA news agency reported. The navy will also acquire long-range maritime petrol aircraft, he added.
He said Pakistan was contributing significantly towards securing the Persian Gulf corridor for supply of oil from the Gulf countries to Pakistan and to the rest of the world.
