ISLAMABAD: The first F-22 P Frigate of Pakistan Navy PNS Zulfiqar, built in China, arrived at Arabian Sea amid the ongoing naval exercises. The ship was welcomed by the PN surface and aviation units conducting exercise. PNS Zulfiqar also participated in its very first naval exercise which was witnessed by Commander Pakistan Fleet Rear Admiral Asif Sandila, said a press release of Naval Public Relations Directorate here Saturday.

PNS Zulfiqar is the first of the series of four ships being built in collaboration with China at Hudong Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai. The second and third ships are also nearing completion and expected to be handed over to Pakistan Navy in the first and third quarter of 2010. The fourth ship is under construction at Karachi shipyard and would be completed by 2013. F-22 P frigate is a Sword Class Ship equipped with long range surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, depth charges, torpedoes, latest 76mm guns, close-in-weapons system (CIWS), sensors, electronic warfare and advanced command and control system. The ship has a displacement of 3,000 tonnes and carries anti-submarine Z9EC helicopters. The first batch of two helicopters has already arrived in Pakistan. Formal induction ceremony of the ship in PN fleet would be held in the third week of this month.-APP