KARACHI, April 28: Pakistan Navy chief Admiral Shahid Karimullah sees a significant increase in the maritime deterrence and impregnable seaward defence of the country in the coming years. Talking to newsmen after the Bahria University convocation on Thursday, he said that Pakistan would be getting eight P-3C Orion aircrafts from the USA in the next three to four years, while on the other hand four F-22P frigates would also be inducted in the navy under a recent agreement between China and Pakistan.

Pakistan Navy is also acquiring the much needed Vulcan Phylanx system, a guard against supersonic missiles, he added.

Replying to questions, he said that government gave equal importance to navy and other forces, which was obvious from the fact that allocations and budgets of navy were also being increased significantly. In line with the long term planning of the present government, it was understood that navy’s budget would become at par with that of the army in the next 12-15 years.