PNS Zulfiquar (251)

History

Pakistan is a long-term buyer of Chinese military hardware, and the two powers have joined forces on several lesser-known and high-profile projects across the alliance. The Type 053H3 frigate was designed and developed by China (in China) and entered service in the 1990s and 2000s.

Fourteen were eventually completed and the design formed the basis for the Zulfiquar class (also known as the "F-22P class") commissioned by the Pakistan Navy - four of which were built to the standards of the PNS Zulfiquar (251); PNS Shamsheer (253), PNS Saif (253) and PNS Aslat (254) (note the last ship was built in Pakistani waters).

These are state-of-the-art guided missile frigates, capable of operating independently or as part of a main fleet with an emphasis on air defense and general patrol operations.

The first keel was laid in 2008, and it was put into active service in April 2013. PNS Zulfiquar herself is the lead ship of the group, construction started on April 5, 2008 and commissioned with PNS Schamscher on September 19, 2009.

The addition of these four ships immediately provides the Pakistan Navy with the most powerful surface fighter to date.

At the time of construction, the ship displaces 2,755 tons under standard load and 3,465 tons under full load. Measurements include a barrel length of 404 feet, a beam of 45 feet, and a draft of 12.3 feet.

Propulsion is a combined diesel and diesel unit (CODAD) using 4 x Pielstick 16{A6STC marine diesel engines coupled with 4 x MTU diesel generators to achieve maximum power while maintaining efficiency. This arrangement allows all motors to take on sprint maneuvers and limit general cruising performance.

Maximum achievable speed under ideal conditions is 29 knots and range up to 4,000 nautical miles - giving the vessel good range in and around Pakistani waters.

With approximately 170 crew members on board, an air force supports a Harbin Z-9EC naval helicopter, which is reserved for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions. A full-service hangar is located aft in front of the helipad. In theory, two such helicopters could be transported at the same time.

The warship is equipped with advanced sensors and processing systems, including long-range search, surface search, navigation aids, fire control, radar warning receiver (RWR) and hull sonar capabilities. If necessary, it can also use its own chaff and flares to counter enemy radar and missile attacks.

As for armament, the Zulfiquar carries a 76.2mm AK-176M main gun with a turret above the forward compartment. The Type 730B (two 30mm Gatling guns) acts as a close-in weapons system (CIWS) against incoming airborne threats at short to medium range. As a guided missile frigate, the ship is equipped with an 8-cell FM-90N surface-to-air missile (SAM) system and two 4-cell C-802 surface-to-surface missile (SSM) systems.

There are also two 3-cell ET-52C torpedo launchers and two 6-cell RDC-32 anti-submarine rocket launchers to complete the weapon set. From the looks of it, the ship can handle almost any threat at sea, whether from the air, above or below the water.

Helicopter support will only add to this, providing the capability modern warships need to peer into the sky and beyond the horizon.

PNS Zulfiquar has been in service since and was targeted by al Qaeda militants on September 6, 2014. A small group tries to take over the ship in a brazen mission to requisition her to fight the US Navy fighting in the Arabian Sea. They were eventually neutralized by Pakistani elements.

Specification

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