Pakistan inks deal for US guided-missile frigate
By IANSWednesday, April 21, 2010
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has inked a $78 million deal for acquiring the US guided-missile frigate USS McInerney that will join the fleet in January 2011 after a $65 million refurbishment to be paid for with foreign military aid provided by the US to friendly countries.
Under the contract, Pakistan is to take over the ship at the US Naval Station Mayport in Florida Aug 31 this year, after which it will be commissioned as PNS Alamgir.
A comprehensive refurbishment of the ship to also give it anti-submarine capability will be carried out under the supervision of US Navy, The News reported Wednesday in a despatch from Washington.
Defence Procurement Attache Captain Abdur Rehman Tuesday inked the contract on behalf of the Pakistan Navy.
“The successful culmination of this contract will also pave way for acquisition of more vessels of same class for the Pakistan Navy to raise a squadron of eight Perry-Class frigates. This will greatly enhance operational readiness of Pakistan Navy,” The News said.
The 32-year-old USS McInerney is the second ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry-Class of guided-missile frigates. In September 2008, the US Congress had approved the provision of the frigate to Pakistan with a delivery date of August 2010.
Under the US Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act, Pakistan is considered a major non-Nato ally and is able to receive older US military equipment.
