F-22P
Encyclopedia
The F-22P or Zulfiquar Class Frigate ( Sword class), is a general purpose frigate
being built by China and Pakistan for the Pakistan Navy (PN)
. The first ship, PNS Zulfiquar, was handed over to the PN on 30 July 2009 and the second, PNS Shamsheer, on January 23, 2010. The third is undergoing sea trials, The Fourth and Last Frigate of F-22P series for the PN was launched on 17 June 2011.
, China, while the last is under construction in Pakistan by Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) to be completed in 2013. The $750 million contract also includes 4-6 Harbin Z-9EC
anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
helicopters as well as ammunition for the frigates. According to one Chinese source Pakistan ordered four more F-22P frigates in 2007, although this has not been confirmed.
The lead ship, PNS Zulfiquar, was launched on 5 April 2008 and handed over to the Pakistan Navy on 30 July 2009. On the way to Pakistan, the frigate made a goodwill visit to Port Klang
, Malaysia, in late August 2009. Another goodwill visit was made to the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka
, during which the PNS Zulfiquars Commanding Officer Captain Zahid Ilyas visited the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, at the Navy Headquarters on 5 September. PNS Zulfiquar arrived at Karachi
, Pakistan, on 12 September 2009 and the induction ceremony was held on 19 September 2009.
The second frigate of the Zulfiquar class, PNS Shamsheer, was launched at Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard on 31 October 2008. On 19 December 2009 it was commissioned in a ceremony at Shanghai
, and arrived in Pakistan on 23 January 2010. The third frigate of the Zulfiquar class, PNS Saif have been handed over to Pakistan Navy on 15th September 2010.
According to Admiral Noman Bashir, Chief of Naval Staff
of Pakistan Navy, the Navy intends to expand its fleet of F-22P frigates from the current four by constructing more ships. These may be an improved variant incorporating features of the Type 054A frigate
, possibly designated F-23P, for which discussions have been held between Pakistan and China.
The 76.2 mm calibre main gun is a Chinese development of the Russian AK-176M
, the main difference being that the Chinese variant adopts a re-designed stealthy
turret to reduce radar cross-section. The gun is designed to engage ships, aircraft and anti-ship missiles. In front of the main gun are two 6-cell RDC-32 anti-submarine rocket launchers.
The frigate's primary surface-to-surface missile
armament comprises eight C-802
subsonic anti-ship missile
s carried in two launchers with four cells each, fitted between the foremast and the funnel. These containers are also compatible with the CY series
anti-submarine rockets and may be loaded with a combination of anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons.
The FM-90N surface-to-air missile (SAM)
system is fitted between the main deck and main gun. The launcher has eight cells each containing one missile and is fitted on a mount that can be elevated and traversed in the direction of the threat. The FM-90N can engage several targets, including supersonic
and sub-sonic sea-skimming missiles, using different guidance modes simultaneously. The system is also designed to engage small targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)
.
A close-in weapon system (CIWS)
, the Type 730B
, is mounted on the aircraft hangar. Comprising two seven-barrel gatling gun
s of 30 mm calibre, the F-22P is believed to be the first ship armed with the Type 730B, which uses off-mount sensors such as the Type 347G radar
and the OFC-3 electro-optic director. The guns are mounted side-by-side on the aircraft hangar, with the off-mount sensors in between. The CIWS can be upgraded with the FL-3000N fire-and-forget missile system by installing up to two single-round FL-3000N launchers on each existing CIWS gun mount.
The Harbin Z-9EC
anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
helicopter is equipped with a surface-search radar, low frequency dipping sonar, radar warning receiver, doppler navigation system and armed with torpedoes. The helicopter can be armed with one torpedo on the starboard side. A small antenna on the roof may provide a data-link, allowing the Z-9 to act as a relay for targeting data between the ship and long range anti-ship missiles such as the C-802
.
of the F-22P Zulfiquar-class frigates, during a visit to Port Klang
, Malaysia, on 27 August 2009:
http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?52195&Cat=4&dt=6/17/2011
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
being built by China and Pakistan for the Pakistan Navy (PN)
Pakistan Navy
The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases...
. The first ship, PNS Zulfiquar, was handed over to the PN on 30 July 2009 and the second, PNS Shamsheer, on January 23, 2010. The third is undergoing sea trials, The Fourth and Last Frigate of F-22P series for the PN was launched on 17 June 2011.
History
Pakistan had been negotiating with China for the supply of 4 frigates since the late 1990s. The contract was signed on 4 April 2006 with the conclusion of negotiations for financing and technology transfer. The first ship was delivered in 30 July 2009, second 23 January 2010 and third one at 15 December 2010. The first three were being built at the Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in ShanghaiShanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China, while the last is under construction in Pakistan by Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) to be completed in 2013. The $750 million contract also includes 4-6 Harbin Z-9EC
Harbin Z-9
|-See also:-External links:* * *...
anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
helicopters as well as ammunition for the frigates. According to one Chinese source Pakistan ordered four more F-22P frigates in 2007, although this has not been confirmed.
The lead ship, PNS Zulfiquar, was launched on 5 April 2008 and handed over to the Pakistan Navy on 30 July 2009. On the way to Pakistan, the frigate made a goodwill visit to Port Klang
Port Klang
Port Klang is a town and the main gateway by sea into Malaysia. Colonially known as Port Swettenham, it is also the location of the largest and busiest port in the country. As such, its economic progress has been greatly influenced by the port activities in its area...
, Malaysia, in late August 2009. Another goodwill visit was made to the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, during which the PNS Zulfiquars Commanding Officer Captain Zahid Ilyas visited the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, at the Navy Headquarters on 5 September. PNS Zulfiquar arrived at Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, Pakistan, on 12 September 2009 and the induction ceremony was held on 19 September 2009.
The second frigate of the Zulfiquar class, PNS Shamsheer, was launched at Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard on 31 October 2008. On 19 December 2009 it was commissioned in a ceremony at Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, and arrived in Pakistan on 23 January 2010. The third frigate of the Zulfiquar class, PNS Saif have been handed over to Pakistan Navy on 15th September 2010.
According to Admiral Noman Bashir, Chief of Naval Staff
Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)
The Chief of the Naval Staff, abbreviated as CNS, is the highest ranking officer in the Pakistani Navy unless a 4-star naval officer is appointed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The current Chief of the Naval Staff is Admiral Asif Sandila who commands the Navy. The CNS reports...
of Pakistan Navy, the Navy intends to expand its fleet of F-22P frigates from the current four by constructing more ships. These may be an improved variant incorporating features of the Type 054A frigate
Type 054A frigate
The Type 054A frigate is a Chinese multi-role warship that entered service with the People's Liberation Army Navy in 2007...
, possibly designated F-23P, for which discussions have been held between Pakistan and China.
Design
The F-22P hull uses many of the radar cross-section reduction features of China's Type 054 frigate to help it evade detection by radars mounted on other ships, aircraft and anti-ship missiles.AK-176
The AK-176 is a Soviet naval gun mounted in an enclosed turret, that may be used against sea, coastal, and aerial targets, including low flying anti-ship missiles. The system is designed to arm small displacement ships and comprises the Gun Mount with a MR-123-02/76 Fire Control Radar System...
, the main difference being that the Chinese variant adopts a re-designed stealthy
Stealth technology
Stealth technology also termed LO technology is a sub-discipline of military tactics and passive electronic countermeasures, which cover a range of techniques used with personnel, aircraft, ships, submarines, and missiles, to make them less visible to radar, infrared, sonar and other detection...
turret to reduce radar cross-section. The gun is designed to engage ships, aircraft and anti-ship missiles. In front of the main gun are two 6-cell RDC-32 anti-submarine rocket launchers.
The frigate's primary surface-to-surface missile
Surface-to-surface missile
A surface-to-surface missile is a guided projectile launched from a hand-held, vehicle mounted, trailer mounted or fixed installation or from a ship. They are often powered by a rocket motor or sometimes fired by an explosive charge, since the launching platform is typically stationary or moving...
armament comprises eight C-802
C-802
The Yingji-82 or YJ-82 is a Chinese anti-ship missile first unveiled in 1989 by the China Haiying Electro-Mechanical Technology Academy , also known as the Third Academy...
subsonic anti-ship missile
Anti-ship missile
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles that are designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea-skimming type, many use a combination of inertial guidance and radar homing...
s carried in two launchers with four cells each, fitted between the foremast and the funnel. These containers are also compatible with the CY series
CY-1
The CY-1 is a Chinese anti-submarine rocket carried on a variety of surface platforms, including the Luda class missile destroyers and Jiangwei class missile frigates...
anti-submarine rockets and may be loaded with a combination of anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons.
Surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...
system is fitted between the main deck and main gun. The launcher has eight cells each containing one missile and is fitted on a mount that can be elevated and traversed in the direction of the threat. The FM-90N can engage several targets, including supersonic
Supersonic
Supersonic speed is a rate of travel of an object that exceeds the speed of sound . For objects traveling in dry air of a temperature of 20 °C this speed is approximately 343 m/s, 1,125 ft/s, 768 mph or 1,235 km/h. Speeds greater than five times the speed of sound are often...
and sub-sonic sea-skimming missiles, using different guidance modes simultaneously. The system is also designed to engage small targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
.
A close-in weapon system (CIWS)
Close-in weapon system
A close-in weapon system , often pronounced sea-whiz, is a naval shipboard point-defense weapon for detecting and destroying at short range incoming anti-ship missiles and enemy aircraft which have penetrated the outer defenses....
, the Type 730B
Type 730 CIWS
The Type 730 is a Chinese seven-barrelled 30 mm Gatling gun CIWS. It has a PLA-N designation H/PJ12. It is mounted in an enclosed automatic turret and directed by radar, and electro-optical tracking systems...
, is mounted on the aircraft hangar. Comprising two seven-barrel gatling gun
Gatling gun
The Gatling gun is one of the best known early rapid-fire weapons and a forerunner of the modern machine gun. It is well known for its use by the Union forces during the American Civil War in the 1860s, which was the first time it was employed in combat...
s of 30 mm calibre, the F-22P is believed to be the first ship armed with the Type 730B, which uses off-mount sensors such as the Type 347G radar
Type 347 Radar
The Type 347G "Rice Lamp" I-band fire-control radar is found on older Chinese Navy ships, in conjection with the Type 76A dual-37mm automatic AAA gun. Typically, the system includes 2 Type 347G fire-control radar with optical director, and 4 Type 76A guns...
and the OFC-3 electro-optic director. The guns are mounted side-by-side on the aircraft hangar, with the off-mount sensors in between. The CIWS can be upgraded with the FL-3000N fire-and-forget missile system by installing up to two single-round FL-3000N launchers on each existing CIWS gun mount.
The Harbin Z-9EC
Harbin Z-9
|-See also:-External links:* * *...
anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
helicopter is equipped with a surface-search radar, low frequency dipping sonar, radar warning receiver, doppler navigation system and armed with torpedoes. The helicopter can be armed with one torpedo on the starboard side. A small antenna on the roof may provide a data-link, allowing the Z-9 to act as a relay for targeting data between the ship and long range anti-ship missiles such as the C-802
C-802
The Yingji-82 or YJ-82 is a Chinese anti-ship missile first unveiled in 1989 by the China Haiying Electro-Mechanical Technology Academy , also known as the Third Academy...
.
Ships
| Name | Pennant | Laid down | Launched | Commissioning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PNS Zulfiquar | 251 | 12 October 2006 | 5 April 2008 | 19 September 2009 |
| PNS Shamsheer | 252 | 13 July 2007 | 31 October 2008 | 19 December 2009 |
| PNS Saif | 253 | 4 November 2008 | May 28, 2009 | 15th September 2010 |
| PNS Aslat | 254 | 10 Dec 2009 | 16 June 2011 | 2013 |
Gallery
PNS Zulfiquar (251), lead shipLead ship
The lead ship or class leader is the first of a series or class of ships all constructed according to the same general design. The term is applicable military ships and larger civilian craft.-Overview:...
of the F-22P Zulfiquar-class frigates, during a visit to Port Klang
Port Klang
Port Klang is a town and the main gateway by sea into Malaysia. Colonially known as Port Swettenham, it is also the location of the largest and busiest port in the country. As such, its economic progress has been greatly influenced by the port activities in its area...
, Malaysia, on 27 August 2009:
External links
- Defense News - Pakistan Gets New Chinese Frigate (07 April)
- Defense News - China Delivers Frigate To Pakistan: Navy (30 Jul 2009)
- Business Recorder - Talks on with Germany, US for subs and frigates: F-22P Frigate arrives from China (13 September 2009)
http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?52195&Cat=4&dt=6/17/2011