Pakistan Navy to Purchase Two Missile Boats from China

Images of Fast Attack Craft (FAC) Launched in Karachi

Pakistan Navy has ordered two missile boats from China. First of these missile boats will be manufactured in China and second one will be produced in Pakistan.

These missile boats will carry Chinese guns which will be guided by the radar to ensure the high precision against the targets. No details are available at the moment about the weapon systems to be carried by these boats.

It is likely to be equipped with Chinese close-in weapon system (CIWS) Type 730B for self-defense from air threats like aircraft and anti-ship missiles. Type 730B is already in service with the Pakistan Navy on its Sword Class F-22P Frigates.

Type 730B CIWS is a seven-barrel 30 mm caliber Gatling gun which is guided by radar and electro-optic sensors. Type 730B CIWS can fire about 5800 rounds in one minute and it has a range of 3 kilometers. Boat’s primary offensive weapon will be the C-802A anti-ship missile.

C-802A carries a warhead of 165kg to destroy the enemy ships at a range of 180km. Missile boat is likely to carry eight such missiles. C-802A missile is already being used by the PN on the Sword Class F-22P Frigates and PAF is also integrating it on the JF-17 Thunder fighter aircrafts. Karachi Shipyard has already produced four smaller missiles boats for Pakistan Navy in the past with assistance from China and Thailand.

Pakistan navy has already purchased four F-22P light frigates from the China. Three out of four F-22P frigates are with the Pakistan Navy and fourth is under construction at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW).

Pakistan Starts the Construction of Fast Attack Missile Craft