PNS Tariq (F181)

History

The Tariq class consists of the Pakistan Navy as a four-man frigate battleship. The class originally consisted of six ships, stemming from the acquisition of six former Royal Navy Type 21 frigates - HMS Amazon, HMS Ambuscade, HMS Avenger, HMS Arrow, HMS Alacrity and HMS Active. These ships were acquired from 1993 to 1994 and became the PNS Babur, PNS Tariq (F-181), PNS Tippu Sultan (F-186), PNS Khaibar (F-183), PNS Badr and PNS Shah Jahan (F- 185). Pakistan Navy Service.

Babur and Badr have retired.

The original British group consisted of eight ships, two of which were killed in battles with Argentina during the 1982 Falklands War. When their role in Royal Navy service was deemed over, the ships were ripe candidates for sale abroad to interested parties, which became Pakistan in the early 1990s.

The class was subsequently renamed the Tariq class, based on the PNS Tariq, the lead ship of the former HMS Ambuscade.

The Tariq was built by Yarrow Shipbuilders Limited in Scotland (Glasgow) and modernized by KESW in Pakistan (Karachi). Changes include the installation of the 20mm Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) and the removal of the Seacat rocket launcher.

To further enhance capabilities, China's LY-60N "Falcon" 6-unit surface-to-air missile (SAM) system is installed on this type.

The original power scheme was retained in the gas or gas combination (COGOG) in the form of a 2 x 50,000 hp Rolls-Royce Olympus TM3B gas turbine paired with a 2?? x 9,900 hp Rolls-Royce Tyne RM1A gas turbine. The vessel has a top speed of 32 knots and a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles.

This arrangement allows two sets of gas turbines to be used to perform sprint or cruise maneuvers as needed (Tyne engines for cruise and Olympus engines for sprint maneuvers).

Dimensions of the warship include an overall length of 384 feet, a beam of 41.6 feet and a draft of 19.5 feet. Displacement at full load is 3,760 tons (post modernization in Pakistan).

Between 175 and 215 crew members were on board, including a contingent of Pakistani marines. Armament is carried above the forecastle by a single 4.5" (114 mm) Vickers Mark 8 series and turret deck gun.

2 x 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft (AA) automatic cannons are used in conjunction with a 20 mm phalanx for extreme close range falcon firing The defense of the aircraft provides a deterrent to long-range aircraft. Also carries 2 triple torpedo tubes, 2 Mark 36 SRBOC Hay launchers and a Type 182 towed decoy.

The warship has a Cold War silhouette with a stepped hull layout including bridge sections, masts and flat funnels. The funnel is located near the midship. The turret is set on the foredeck with good forward and side firing angles.

Above the stern is a helipad capable of servicing a single medium helicopter or light rotor system (usually Aerospatiale Alouette III or Westland Lynx, but also Camcopter S-100 unmanned helicopters).

All modern sensors and processing systems are in place: air search, electronic warfare (EW), chaff and flare dispensers, sonar and more, making the PNS Tariq an extraordinary modern naval platform.

All four ships remain in service with the Pakistan Navy and are deployed as combat frigates along with the four-man Zulfiquar class (detailed elsewhere on this page) and the one-man Alamgir class. The Tariq class represents former British ships, while the Zulfiquar class is of Chinese origin.

The only Alamgir ship is the former U. S. Navy Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate acquired in 2010. Together, these ships form the core of Pakistan's naval warfare.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

WEIGHTS

POWER

PERFORMANCE

ARMAMENT

AIR WING