News Story: Pakistan's Dream Navy?

Perry class Frigate (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki Commons)

By USMAN ANSARI

ISLAMABAD — Beset with monetary woes and a tenuous relationship with the US, Pakistan’s naval modernization plans appear to be faltering with the hoped for acquisition of further surplus US equipment now unlikely.

Former Australian defense attaché to Pakistan, Brian Cloughley, says Pakistan’s crippled economy means “the Navy will not receive as much as it needs for capital equipment,” increasing the importance of obtaining surplus equipment.

Pakistan has long hoped for up to six Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates to replace its six ex-British Type-21 frigates acquired in the 1990s.

In 2005, the Perry frigates Elrod and Kaufmann were speculated to be destined for transfer to Pakistan.

However, only McInerney was transferred in 2010, and she currently lacks ASW helicopters and missile armament, though a new Turkish combat management system indicates she is at least to be retained.

Six US Navy Perry frigates are due for decommissioning in fiscal 2013. However, Mexico, Taiwan and Thailand are known to have been offered the frigates, with Taiwan reportedly to take at least four to replace its eight Knox-class frigates.

As far as can be ascertained, Pakistan has not been mentioned in any official documentation regarding further transfer of Perry frigates.

Read the full story at DefenseNews