AFP, KARACHI: Pakistan said Wednesday China has agreed to supply its navy with four frigates, with the 750 million-dollar deal all but completed pending financing discussions.
“The deal is complete as far as its technical details are concerned. We are now finalising the financing of the deal,” Pakistan navy spokesman Commander Aamir Naeed told AFP.
“Pakistan is not looking for other options, because such selections are made after extensive studies and negotiations,” he said.
The frigates, equipped with up-to-date technology, would carry surface-to-surface missiles, anti-aircraft guns, anti-air defence, torpedoes and anti-submarine warfare helicopters, he said.
The chief admiral of Pakistan's navy, Shahid Karimullah, said the frigates were acquired to strengthen a fleet that had “far lesser capabilities” compared with arch-rival India.
“There is a colossal disparity between the two countries and it is not to our liking.”
He said while India had “no dearth” of weapons supplies from Russia, Pakistan's armed forces suffered due to sanctions imposed over Islamabad's nuclear programme in the 1990s.
The sanctions were lifted after Pakistan joined the US-led war on terror in the wake of the September 11 attacks in the United States.
Pakistan has since won a spate of economic and business incentives which helped President Pervez Musharraf steer the economy out of stagnation.
However Karimullah said despite lifting of the sanctions the country was facing difficulties in finalising defence deals with European countries.
“We are still feeling (the effects of sanctions) that is the reason why we have decided to go with China,” the admiral said.
