Surface Forces: More Chinese Frigates Please

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August 13, 2010: A year ago, two years after placing the order, Pakistan received the first of four F-22P frigates. The Pakistani have been very pleased with their inexpensive Chinese warships, and are planning on ordering four more. The second F-22P entered service late last year and the third is due this year. The fourth one is under construction in Pakistan. The F-22P is an improved version of the Chinese Jiangwei II (053H3). Pakistan already has four of these, as the F-22.

The 123 meter (406 foot) long F-22P displaces 2,500 tons, and carries an eight cell short range (8.6 kilometers) FM-90N surface-to-air missile system. There are two, four cell anti-ship missile systems (180 kilometers range C-802s), two, three cell launchers for rocket launched ET-52C anti-submarine torpedoes, two, six cell RDC-32 anti-submarine rocket launchers. There is also a 76.2mm gun, two 30mm anti-missiles auto-cannon, and a helicopter. Each ship has a crew of 202 and a top speed of 52 kilometers an hour. The F-22Ps are inexpensive, costing about $200 million each. The new American LCS weighs about the same, but has only half as many sailors in the crew, lots more automation and costs over $600 million.

 

 

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