BEIJING, May 22: Expressing complete satisfaction over Pakistan’s frigates’ deal with China, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Afzal Tahir said, it also envisaged transfer of technology for indigenous production of modern surface fleet to meet new challenges in the defence sector.

The deal has been finalised and the keel for construction of the F-22P frigates will be laid at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai this year. The first frigate will be delivered to Pakistan in 2008 and the other three by 2013 along with transfer of technology.

The naval chief who concluded his official visit to China on Monday said in an interview that the fourth frigate will be constructed in Pakistan. The contract includes upgrading of Karachi Shipyard, training and technical assistance by the Chinese side during construction of fourth F-22P frigate.

“Modalities of its design and configuration are at the final stages,” he added.

About the visit, Admiral Tahir said during his stay in Beijing, he had very productive meetings with Chinese Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan, Vice-Minister for Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence Jin Zhuang Long and Admiral Hu Yanlin.—APP