Sunday, October 19, 2024

FFG-8 McInerney to Pakistani Navy

The U.S. will be turning over Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate FFG-8 (currently the USS McInerney) to the Pakistani Navy after a refit of its combat systems. President Bush signed the bill authorizing the transfer Friday. The Pakistani press identifies this ship not as a general-purpose escort but as an anti-submarine platform (which they were, with LAMPS on board). The Pakistani Navy currently has six frigates, ex-UK Type 21s, and is contracting for other frigate-class vessels with China. Their primary concern is almost certainly the growing submarine force in India - between domestically-built Kilo analogues and the much-whispered-about nuclear boat currently just called the Advanced Technology Vessel, the Naval balance of forces has been slipping hard India's way. Delivery is scheduled for 2010.

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