Article Posted on : - Sep 20, 2011

A Chinese fast attack craft.

BEIJING (PTI): Launching a fast attack craft being built by China, Pakistan’s Navy chief Admiral Noman Bashir on Tuesday said the induction of the vessel equipped with advanced weaponry and sensors will supplement his country’s combat potential.

“The environment around us warrants Pakistan Navy to be prepared to counter the forces challenging our sovereignty as well as regional peace and security,” he said at the launch of the missile-armed vessel at Xingang shipyard at Tianjin in China.

The missile craft construction project represents a “quantum leap, not only in defence production in the maritime sector of Pakistan, but also addresses a long-standing operational requirement of the Pakistan Navy,” an official statement said.

The vessel will be the first of the Azmat class fast attack craft, which is scheduled to be delivered to the Pakistan Navy by April next year.

Admiral Bashir expressed confidence that the induction of the fast attack craft will supplement Pakistan’s combat potential and give its Navy an opportunity to “distinctly uphold its forward presence in areas of interest, contributing to balance the power equation in the region.”

Pakistan is deeply committed to achieving the “shared objectives of attaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region,” he said.

“The Pakistan-China relationship is unique and does not draw any parallel in the world. This relationship over the years has matured in all fields, particularly in defence,” he said, adding the current geo-political situation demands further strengthening of Sino-Pak ties.

Bashir said he was confident that the construction of the second fast attack craft in Pakistan will be accomplished successfully with full cooperation from China.

The fast attack craft is equipped with advanced weaponry and sensors, including the C802A surface-to-surface missile, and has stealth features.