News Story: US Congress Stymies Pakistani Naval Modernization Efforts

Former USS McInerney now PNS Alamgir  a
Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate (Image: Wiki Commons)

By USMAN ANSARI

ISLAMABAD — Despite close defense ties with China, Pakistan still relies on the US to help it upgrade key defense areas. However, hostility from US lawmakers has effectively halted progress in some areas with Pakistan’s Navy particularly hard hit.

For a decade Pakistan’s Navy has pinned hopes on acquiring surplus US Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates to replace its six now 40-year-old ex-British Type-21 frigates. This met with some success when the Perry-class frigate McInerney was renamed Alamgir and transferred in 2011.

However, three proposed for Pakistan last fall have effectively been blocked as the proposed bill continues to languish in committee without being put to the full US Senate.

Neither Pakistan’s Defense Ministry nor the Navy replied to any request for comment on the issues surrounding the Perry acquisition plans.

Read the full story at DefenseNews