KARACHI, July 28: Pakistan has shown interest in purchasing second-hand naval warships from Britain, Cpt Andrew Welch, naval and air advisor of the British High Commission here, said on Sunday.
“Presently, no ships are available for sale,” he said while briefing newsmen onboard the Royal Navy warship HMS Cumberland at Karachi Port.
The ship is on a goodwill visit to Pakistan, and will conduct a joint one-day exercise with the Pak Navy on Monday.
Cpt and Commanding Officer of the ship, I. F. Corder, said that talks were in progress with the Romanian government for the sale of the HMS Cumberland — the Type 22, Batch 3 — which has weapons fit, the fire power of a cruiser, and is capable of engaging targets above, on or below the sea surface.
It also has a comprehensive communications, command and control outfit. The Cumberland was accepted into service in the Royal Navy in November 1988, and commissioned in Devonport in June 1989.
“In case if we could not (strike) a deal with the Romanians, our second choice will be Pakistan for the sale of (the) HMS Cumberland,” Corder said.
He said that since 1997, this was the first visit of any Royal Navy ship to Pakistan.
Corder said that the crew of the ship had an opportunity to visit the 8 ships of UK origin that were now part of the Pakistan naval fleet.
He appreciated the Pakistan Navy, saying that it provided comprehensive security to the ship and its crew visiting the city.—APP
