SHANGHAI, March 30: Pakistan and China signed an agreement here on Thursday for indigenous manufacturing of fourth F-22P frigate in Karachi. The agreement was signed by Rear Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed Rao, Managing Director, Karachi Shipyard, and Yu Yang, Executive Vice-President, China Shipbuilding Trading Company.

The signing ceremony was attended by Secretary, Defence Production, Lt-Gen (Retd) Ali Mohammad Orakzai; President, Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group, Zhou Jianneng; and Pakistani Consul-General Zafaruddin Mehmood.

Signing of the agreement is yet another milestone in ever increasing bilateral relations between the two countries in maritime sector, defence sources told APP.

The agreement includes upgrading of the Karachi Shipyard and training and technical assistance by Chinese experts.

Under a contract signed by the two countries in last April, China will transfer technology to Pakistan for manufacturing F-22P frigates.

This project, while contributing to maritime defence of the country, will add a new dimension to China-Pakistan collaboration in the defence sector, sources said.

The induction of F-22P frigates in the Pakistan Navy will augment its existing surface fleet.