August 13, 2009: The U.S. is giving Pakistan a Perry class frigate which, after 30 years service in the U.S. Navy, is being retired. The frigate will undergo $65 million of refurbishment, and the addition of more anti-submarine capabilities, beforehand.
The Perry's are 4,100 ton ships that have a crew of 220 and are armed with a 76mm gun, six tubes for launching Mk 46 anti-submarine torpedoes, and a 20mm auto cannon as anti-missile defense. As built, the Perry's had a missile launcher for SM-1 anti-aircraft or Harpoon anti-ship missiles (from a 40 missile magazine), but these were removed from all U.S. Perrys in 2004. This was done because U.S. allies needed the dwindling supply of SM-1 missiles more than U.S. ships did. The SH-60 helicopters carried by the Perrys could still use their smaller Penguin anti-ship missiles.
The Perrys have air search radar and sonar, and can carry two helicopters. Top speed is 55 kilometers an hour. If built today, the Perry's would cost about $300 million each. Pakistan plans to use its Perry class frigate for the anti-piracy patrol off Somalia.
