Pakistan Starts the Construction of Fast Attack Missile Craft

Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW)  has started the construction of the Fast Attack Missile Craft with Chinese help for the Pakistan Navy. Pakistan navy has placed an initial order for two such missile crafts one of which is being produced in China while the second one will be produced at the KSEW under transfer of technology agreement.

Pakistani Secretary of defense production, Lt. General Shahid Iqbal was the guest of honor at the keel laying ceremony of the fast attack missile craft boat as guest of honor.

Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) has already launched the first Pakistani produced frigate, PNS Aslat under license from the China State Shipbuilding Company (CSSC), China Shipbuilding and Trading Company (CSTC). PNS Aslat. is the 4th frigate of the F-22P Zulfiqar Class, three of which were produced in China.

These latest fast attack missile crafts will be armed with the Chinese close-in weapon system (CIWS) to defend itself against attacks by the fighter jets and anti-ship missiles. Pakistan Navy already uses  Chinese Type 730B  Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) on its Sword Class F-22P Frigates.

Chinese Type 730B CIWS has seven-barrel 30 mm caliber Gatling gun which uses guidance from the radar and electro-optic sensors to destroy fast moving targets like anti-ship missiles and fighter jets. Type 730B CIWS has a range of 3000 meters and it can fire around 5800 rounds per minute. 

Main offensive weapon of these fast attack missile crafts will be the long range C-802A anti-ship missile which is equipped with a warhead of  165kg.  C-802A anti-ship missile can target enemy warships at a range of 180km and each missile craft will be equipped with eight such missiles. 

Pakistan Navy also uses C-802A anti-ship missile on the F-22P Zulfiqar class frigates  and Pakistan Air Force is also integrating this missile on its JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft which will allows the Thunder to replace old Mirage-V aircraft in anti-ship role.

Pakistan Navy to Purchase Two Missile Boats from China