Pakistan invites China to hold 2nd joint naval exercise
Pakistan Times Staff Report

BEIJING (China): Pakistan has invited China to hold second joint naval exercise to further enhance their professional capability.

The invitation was formally extended by the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Shahid Karimullah during his meeting held with his Chinese counterpart.

"The Chinese side gave a very favourable response to our invitation," the Naval Chief said in Beijing

The joint naval operation is likely to take place next year.

The two sides had conducted their first-ever exercise in November, 2003 near the Shanghai coast.

"Now we have offered our Chinese friends to send their ships in Pakistan's sea water for a similar drill.

Shahid Karimullah who returned home Friday at the end of his five-day visit to China termed his talks with officials of Peoples' Liberation Army as highly productive.

Defence Potential

The two sides agreed to maintain frequent exchanges to benefit from each others experience, strengthening their defence potential.

This was first time that the two navies have reached high-level collaboration. It was decided China will provide four F-22P advanced quality frigates to Pakistan by 2013.

Of these, three will be manufactured in China, while one frigate will be built in Pakistan.

First frigate will be available to Pakistan Navy within a period of three and half years.

Besides this, the Chinese side will also provide six medium-size standardized helicopters (Z-9C) to Pakistan Navy.●