China delivers 2 more navy frigates to Pakistan

China on Wednesday delivered last two of total four navy frigates to Pakistan, state media reported.

According to Chinese daily Global Times, China delivered two Type 054A/P frigates to the Pakistan Navy in Shanghai.

“This means all four warships of this class have been commissioned into the Pakistan Navy,” said the report.

Islamabad signed a contract with the China Shipbuilding Trading Company Ltd. (CSTC) for the delivery of two Type-054 A/P frigates in 2017. A deal for two more ships was signed in June 2018.

Also read: Pakistan, China reaffirm resolve to strengthen ties

Beijing has long been an economic and defense partner to Islamabad.

Pakistan sealed a $5 billion deal with China in 2016 for the acquisition of eight Chinese Yuan-class type-041 diesel submarines by 2028 to "address force imbalance" with its archrival India.

The allies are also pursuing over $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship project in Beijing's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative.