KARACHI The second Chinese-built F-22P frigate commissioned in Shanghai for the Pakistan Navy, PNS Shamsheer, arrived here on Saturday after visiting Singapore and Colombo en route to the Karachi harbour.

On arrival, the ship was welcomed by PN surface and aviation units at the sea followed by a reception ceremony held at the PN Dockyard, says a navy press release.

Pakistan Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Tanveer Faiz, a large number of naval officers and men and families of the ship's crew attended the ceremony.

PNS Shamsheer is the second in the series of four ships being built in collaboration with China. The third ship being built at Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai is also nearing completion and expected to be handed over to Pakistan in the third quarter of this year.

Work on the fourth ship is under way at the Karachi Shipyard under the Transfer of Technology arrangement and is likely to be completed by 2013.

F-22P frigate is a sword-class ship capable of surviving in a multi-threat environment. The ship is fitted with long-range surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles and the latest automatic 76mm guns.

The ship is capable of delivering torpedoes and depth charges. It also carries Z9EC helicopters. The ship is equipped with advance command and control and electronic warfare systems and a hi-tech air defence system.

A formal induction ceremony of the ship in the PN fleet will be held in the first half of February.