Modern warfare: Karachi welcomes ‘Dehshat’

The missile was made under the Transfer of Technology agreement between Pakistan and China.

KARACHI: On the shores of the Arabian Sea now stands the first Pakistani made missile craft - Dehshat.

It is a 63-metres long missile craft with state-of-the-art built in weapons and censors, and unlike its predecessor it was all made in Pakistan with Chinese parts. Dehshat's predecessor, Azalat, was made for Pakistan in China two years ago.

The new missile was made under the Transfer of Technology agreement between Pakistan and China, in which China Shipbuilding and Offshore Company, Xingang Shipyard and Naval Authorities helped out.

The missile's induction was held in the presence of the chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila, near the dockyard of the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) on Thursday morning.

Officials present at the event called it one of Pakistan Navy's greatest achievements. The chief of Naval Staff said that the ship would sail strong and bring prosperity for the nation. He thanked the Chinese companies and called it yet another step towards strengthening the Pak-China friendship.

Commending the efforts of the Navy and government, Sandila said, "To the fleet of command, I must say that you are getting a ship well-built and well-tested that you may deploy as per the aspirations of Pakistan Navy and the nation."

According to the managing director of KS&EW, Salman Shah, it was a bold step taken by the nation for setting up indigenous construction of such ships in Karachi. He said that the Karachi shipyard can train more people and undertake any challenging project.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of China Shipbuilding & Offshore Company, diplomats and government officials.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2014.