Posted On Wednesday, 03 November 2021 14:51
According to information published by the Dunya News on November 2, 2021, the first Chinese-made 054A Guided Missile Frigate “PNS Tughril” is set to be commissioned in the Pakistan Navy next week.
Type 054A/P frigate PNS Tughril (Picture source: Twitter account of Psfaero)
The ceremony to commission the missile frigate will be held in Shanghai. China Shipbuilding Trading Company, Hodong Xing Washhipyard played a key role in constructing the ship.
The Type 054A/P is an export and improved version of the Chinese-made Type 054 A multi-role frigate that entered service with the Chinese Navy in 2007. It is a development of the Type 054 frigate, using the same hull but with improved sensors and weapons. A total of 26 Type 54 frigates are in service with the Chinese Navy.
The Type 054A has a length of 134.1 m, a beam of 16m, and a loaded displacement of 4,053 tones. The ship has a crew of 165 people. She is powered by Combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) propulsion system that includes four SEMT Pielstick (now MAN Diesel) 16 PA6V-280 STC diesel engines, each developing 5,700 kW (7,600 hp). The frigate can reach a top speed of 27 knots (50 km/) with a maximum cruising range of 8,025 nautical miles (14,682 km).
The Type 054A is armed with 32-cell VLS (Vertical Launching System) able to launch HQ-16 SAM surface-to-air missile, Yu-8 anti-submarine rocket launcher, eight C-803 anti-ship / land-attack cruise missiles, one PJ26 76 mm dual-purpose naval gun, two Type 730 7-barrel 30 mm CIWS guns or Type 1130, six 324mm Yu-7 ASW torpedo launchers, twelve Type 87 240mm anti-submarine rocket launcher (36 rockets carried) and two Type 726-4 18-tube decoy rocket launchers.