the whole article:
The biggest cooperative project in naval systems between Pakistan and China is the joint production of F22P frigate. According to the Memorandum of Understanding finalized in 2001, the project should have started in 2002, and Karachi Shipyard is expected to construct two of the four contracted F22P frigates in the following seven years. The initial two frigates were built at Hu Dong Shipyard in Shanghai. The Pakistani Navy is also planning to procure another four F22P frigates, making the total eight. The price China offered was US$120 million, and the total cost of the previous four would be around US$480 million. This price did not include weapon systems, helicopters and the corresponding radar and sensor systems to be fitted on board.
At present, the project has been put off till later, and the chance for the finalization of the agreement this year is also slim. The essential problem is that Pakistan does not have the needed financial resources for the procurements, and because of this, Pakistan is considering getting loans from China to solve the problem. Related negotiations are already underway. Karachi Shipyard claims all design work of F22P has been completed. The model F22P put on display by Karachi Shipyard indicates that the vessel has under gone some major changes.
The changes include a newly added rear mast on which the China-made meter wave radar is installed. Secondly, the bridge has been redesigned so as to avoid acute angling of the surface and enhance stealth features. In the original plan that China provided to Pakistan, the frigate will employ LY60 SAM, but now Pakistan has decided to use HHQ7 SAM. The helicopter hangar is also redesigned to accommodate more China-made ESM/ECM facilities. Different from the Chinese Type 053H3 (Jiangwei II) FFG, F22P will be equipped with two 630M CIWS produced by license from Russia. The hull sonar may be from Ukraine. The newly designed F22P has increased its length from the original 114.5m to 118m, and the breadth of the FFG have been changed from the Chinese design of 12.4m to 13.2m and depth 10.2m.
Karachi Shipyard claims Pakistan has accepted the plan of purchasing Z9C, as Z9C has a lower price with equivalent combat performance features. Besides, F22P helicopter hangar is designed specifically for Z9C. The eight SSMs loaded on board are not YJ8-3, a SSM which has been widely deployed on the Chinese Navy’ combat ships, including the new generation 054 FFG and 052B DDG. China claims YJ8-3 is capable of performing terminal stage super-sonic speed flight. The missile system on F22P will still be C802. Unless the construction time has to be put off so late due to funding problems, the FFG will not be fitted with newer missile systems, with respect to the technological progress at that time. What is also under consideration is that F22P will be fitted with new generation NR6A ESM/ECM systems, with one set of antennae on each side. The system is developed by Yangzhou Ship-borne Electronic Equipment Research Institute.
