PNS Aslat (FFG-254), a F-22P Zulfiquar-class frigate patrolling off its deployment with U.S. Navy in the Indian Ocean in 2014. | |
History | |
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Pakistan | |
Name | PNS Aslat |
Namesake | Arabic: Astro Boy |
Builder | KSEW Ltd. in Pakistan |
Laid down | 10 December 2009 |
Launched | 16 June 2011 |
Commissioned | 17 April 2013 [1] |
In service | 2010–present |
Homeport | Karachi Naval Base |
Status | In active service |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | F-22P Zulfiquar-class frigate |
Displacement |
|
Length | 123.2 m (404 ft 2 in) |
Beam | 13.8 m (45 ft 3 in) |
Draught | 3.76 m (12 ft 4 in) |
Propulsion | |
Speed | 29 kn (54 km/h) maximum |
Range | 4,000 nmi (7,400 km) |
Complement | 202, 14 officers and 188 enlists. |
Sensors and processing systems |
|
Electronic warfare & decoys |
|
Armament | |
Aircraft carried | 1 × Harbin Z-9EC ASW helicopter |
Aviation facilities | Flight deck and enclosed hangar |
PNS Aslat (FFG-254) is a F-22P Zulfiquar-class guided missile frigate currently in active service with the Pakistan Navy since her commission in 2013.
Aslat's design, construction and the steel cutting took place in KSEW, Ltd. in Karachi, Sindh in Pakistan in 2009. [3] [4] Her keel laying and launch ceremony took place on 16 June 2011 with Adm. Noman Bashir witnessing its ceremony. [5] [6]
On 18 April 2013, Aslat was commissioned into the military service of the Pakistan Navy and was presented with her colors by Adm. Asif Sandila. [7] With the commissioning of the Aslat, the project of building the Zulfiquar-class guided missile frigates concluded the $750 million technology transfer contract with China. [8]
The second warship has the namesake of Aslat, which is a type of Arab sword used by Arab warriors in the Early Islamic conquests. [9]
PNS Aslat was deployed in the Red sea because of the attacks made on international ships and vessels by the Houthi Rebels of Yemen Starting from late 2023, following the Israel - Hamas war. [10] [11]
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