Pakistan arms sales, ops, doctrine, etc

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 21 Nov 2014 18:16

Pakistan receives 'a squadron' of surplus Jordanian F-16s

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has received into service 'a squadron' of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter aircraft from the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF), a senior PAF service official disclosed on 19 November.

Speaking under the Chatham House Rule at the IQPC Fighter Conference in London, the officer said that the F-16A/B fighters had recently arrived in Pakistan, and will be used to augment the PAF's existing F-16 fleet, which is heavily involved in counterinsurgency operations along the country's border area with Afghanistan.

"Recently a squadron of used F-16A/Bs have been procured from Jordan to take some of the load off our other F-16s, which are undertaking numerous tasks in the 'law enforcement' operations. The F-16s are supporting our ongoing law enforcement efforts on our western border. We are not using [attack] helicopters, but are using F-16s to stop the terrorists," he said.

The purchase of surplus RJAF F-16s was first mooted in February, with deliveries commencing in April. At that time, a PAF official confirmed to IHS Jane's that it was to receive 12 F-16A and 1 F-16B Block 15 aircraft to increase the size of its fast jet fleet. Although designated Block 15s, all of these aircraft have undergone mid-life upgrades, although details have not been released.

IHS Jane's understands that these former Jordanian aircraft have been assigned to 19 Squadron at PAF base Mushaf (Sarghoda).

When the deal for the surplus Jordanian aircraft was disclosed earlier in the year, the PAF stated that it had also approached at least two other countries for additional F-16s. The status of these discussions is unclear.

Prior to the Jordanian deal, the PAF fielded 12 F-16C and 6 F-16D Block 50/52 jets, and between 45 and 50 F-16A/B aircraft. These earlier aircraft have now all been upgraded to Block 52 standard by Turkish Aerospace Industries in Ankara

kit · Post by **kit** » 21 Nov 2014 18:37

no doubt pakistan will find an easy and cheap way to add F16 s to its airforce

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 21 Nov 2014 19:29

Does India have an "aggressor" squadron?

Perhaps after the min numbers of squadrons are met?

Might not be a bad idea to get a couple of dozen and have the Israelis help maintain them.

arun · Post by **arun** » 21 Nov 2014 20:26

X Posted from the “ISI - History and Discussions” thread.

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan may be presently enjoying one of the rarer bouts of not being ruled by the Uniformed Jihadi’s of the Military of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Nonetheless the Uniformed Jihadi’s of the Military of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have so bamboozeled civil society that the media unhesitatingly kowtows to military dictates on what should and should not be published and if published how it should be presented.

Neha Ansari who worked at the Express Tribune reveals that the Uniformed Jihadi’s of the Military of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan via its notorious intelligence arm, the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate aka ISID aka ISI got the Express Tribune to support Imran Khan and Tahir-ul-Qadri against Prime Minister Nawaz Shariff.

Excerpt:

At the Express Media Group, anything related to Khan and Qadri were inexorably the lead stories on the front page or the hourly news bulletin. I witnessed polls showing support for Sharif being censored, while news stories on the misconduct of the protesters, along with any evidence that support among the protestors for Khan and Qadri was dwindling, were axed. While the BBC was publishing stories about how Qadri's protesters were allegedly being paid and Dawn, the leading English-language Pakistani newspaper -- and the Express Tribune's main competitor -- was writing powerful editorials about the military's role in the political crisis, we were making sure nothing negative about them went to print.

Day after day, my national editor told me about how he received frantic telephone calls late in the evening about what the lead story should be for the next day and what angle the article should take. First, we were told to focus on Khan. "Take this as Imran's top quote," "This should be in the headline," "Take a bigger picture of him" were the specific directives given by the CEO. Shortly after, the news group's owner was agitated that the newspaper had not been focusing enough on Qadri. We later found out that the military establishment was supporting the two leaders equally and the media was expected to do the same.

From Foreign Policy at the below link:

Not Fit To Print : An Insider Account Of Pakistani Censorship

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 21 Nov 2014 21:49

China commits $45.6 billion for economic corridor with Pakistan

Viv S · Post by **Viv S** » 21 Nov 2014 22:08

NRao wrote:Does India have an "aggressor" squadron?

Perhaps after the min numbers of squadrons are met?

Might not be a bad idea to get a couple of dozen and have the Israelis help maintain them.

I'm sure they have some training arrangement worked out between TACDE and the RSAF in Kalaikunda. The Singaporeans have Su-30MK2s and Su-30MKMs in their neighborhood, so they see the utility of such exercises as well.

Cain Marko · Post by **Cain Marko** » 22 Nov 2014 10:57

So PAF fleet of solah is now up to 80 or so along with useful nos of.tbundaar coming in. Not bad for a country that is broke, sure plays its cards well. Otoh, India has to fork over a few billions for c17s and rafalews.

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 22 Nov 2014 11:08

I think Dawn was being honest that No of F-16's would be 75, considering the US release that Pakistan has used 35 upgraded kits by the Turks, I think thier no of F-16's should be 53 upgraded +18 Block 50/52. Pakis had received 40+ 14+ 18+18=90 aircraft, going by the number of Upgrade kits used, it seems they have 19 crashes as against public acknowledgement of 8 crashes with the last one being in 1994.

Cain Marko, regarding the first bacth of Bhundaars please note BVR capability is going to be added only in the Block 2 variant which to be inducted. The first 50 were inducted without any BVR testing, not sure how much WVR missiles or A to G weapons were tested .

Shreeman · Post by **Shreeman** » 22 Nov 2014 11:47

^^^ Aircraft may be counted out for reasons other than crashes. Upgrade in turki is not complete either.

It used to be russia sold to the east (or bartered/gave away), US to the west in a dispute. Now it is domestic -- LM sells to west,boeing sells to east or vice versa.

Or as in MMRCA, LM vs France.

There are so many ways of looking at this data. Paki FCR are less than MRCA contract. The entire FCR of the state.

And this gift is in todays money (they are worth more in future prices), and is larger than MRCA, and is already available for use! MRCA may take 10-20 years and then its one idiot like preet bharara or robi ray-fail away from going down the drain, not to mention sanction routes.

The supporting ammunition is war sized. That is X,00 harpoons and X,000 missiles, bombs. The gift is bigger than the bakis could have afforded in decades.

This is a thirty year shakles. Having completed the western part of equal equal the US is free to pretend "business relationship" with India.

Bakis would readily implode without US and French support. Even with the other four fathers trying their best to keep them together. But now, with west continuing to stay in afpak indefinitely and a credible hardware deterrent supplied to the bakis you can see how things turn out in a year or two.

member_26622 · Post by **member_26622** » 22 Nov 2014 16:07

Pakis are experts at getting most for their $ and creating opportunities to steal from others - shown time and again

We tend to be exactly opposite - Pay double the 'list' price for our imports.

Effectively our higher defense budget is of no use as both sides end up with more or less same # of weapons. Almost feels like we are uncomfortable to have a 2x superiority our pakis even with our 4x higher budget

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 22 Nov 2014 19:18

Pakistan plans to buy stealth fighter aircraft from China

Pakistan plans to buy the fourth generation stealth fighter aircraft from China to boost its defence capability, according to a media report today.

The matter was being discussed with Chinese authorities, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.

"It is for the first time that a senior government functionary has confirmed talks with China over purchase of the longer-range stealth aircraft — an issue that has been a subject of speculation in defence circles since the 10th edition of the Zhuhai Air Show (China) held earlier this month, when the aircraft was unveiled," the paper reported.

The Jane's Defence Weekly also quoted an unnamed Pakistani official as saying that the Pakistan Air Force was in talks with China to buy 30 to 40 of the Shenyang FC-31 fighters.

FC-31 being developed by China primarily for the export market and reportedly several countries are interested in the aircraft believed to be comparable to US F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

A prototype of the aircraft, designated as J-31, has been flown by the Chinese aircraft research and development firm Shenyang Aviation Company for a couple of years now.

What particularly interests the PAF is that FC-31 prototype (J-31) and JF-17 use the same Russian Klimov RD-93 engines. Pakistan is increasingly relying on China as a reliable source for its defence procurements.

Hussain said that Pakistan was also interested in Chinese attack helicopter Z-10.China and Pakistan had earlier co-produced JF-17 Thunder.

Pakistan has been eagerly trying to market this fighter aircraft. "We have nearly confirmed orders from seven countries for JF-17," Hussain said.

Pakistan, which is at present producing Block-2 of JF-17 at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, is eyeing orders from countries in the Middle East and Africa.

"The PAF has a requirement of 250 aircraft, but now we have decided that we'll sell some of the JF-17 Block-2 to international buyers besides fulfilling our local demand," the minister said.

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 22 Nov 2014 21:47

Pakistan, Russia Sign 'Milestone' Military Cooperation Pact

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — Pakistan and Russia signed a “milestone” military cooperation pact on Thursday aimed at bringing peace and stability to the region, Islamabad’s defence ministry said.

The agreement was signed during a visit by Russian Defence Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu with Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

“The signing of the military cooperation agreement between the two significant countries of the region is a milestone,” Asif said after the signing ceremony in a ministry statement.

“Both sides will translate this relationship in tangible terms and further strengthen military to military relations,” Asif added.

The pair expressed hope that the agreement will pave the way for exchange of views and information, as well as issues related to strengthening of mutual trust and international security, counter-terrorist and arms control activities.

“The first ever visit of the defence minister from Russian Federation has come at a very critical juncture when US-led NATO forces are drawing down from Afghanistan by the end of 2014,” the statement said.

“Apart from promoting bilateral defense relations, the visit will enable both countries to join hands in bringing peace and stability in the region,” it added.

Russia has long been the largest supplier of arms to Pakistan’s nuclear-armed arch rival India, which is the world’s top arms buyer.

Russia’s ITAR-TASS news agency reported in June that the country had lifted its embargo on arms supplies to Pakistan and was holding talks on supplying Islamabad with combat helicopters.

Shoigu, who is accompanied by a 41-member high level delegation, commended the skill and expertise of Pakistani armed forces in fighting the war against terrorism, the Pakistani defence ministry said.

“The world community not only praises but wants to do business with Pakistan now,” it quoted Shoigu as saying.

During his stay, the Russian defence minister will also hold in-depth talks with Pakistani authorities as well as meeting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

“The Prime Minister stressed upon the need to increase bilateral trade between the two countries which currently stands at $542 million and does not correspond to their trade potential,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement after Shoigu-Sharif meeting.

Sharif invited Russian companies to invest in Pakistan, particularly in the energy sector and benefit from the business-friendly policies of the government, it added.

“Pakistan is keen to enhance its multi-dimensional relations with Moscow, including defense,” Sharif said.

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 24 Nov 2014 09:22

Another PAF Mirage crashes, killing the pilot.

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- A Pakistan Air Force pilot has died in an air crash accident near the port city of Karachi, the air force said Saturday. "Pakistan Air Force reports with sorrow and regret that a Mirage Aircraft, while on a routine night operational training mission, crashed 30 miles from Karachi near Gadaap area,"a Pakistan Air Force (RAF) statement said.

The pilot of the aircraft, Squadron Leader Tanvir Ahmed, died in the crash, it said.

No loss of civilian life and property has been reported on ground.

A board of inquiry has been ordered by Air Headquarters to determine the cause of the accident, the PAF said.

article link

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 24 Nov 2014 19:28

Putin Woos Pakistan as Cold War Friend India Buys U.S. Arms

“We’re seeing a new Russia,” C. Uday Bhaskar, director of the Delhi-based Society for Policy Studies. “With India now widening its search for defense supplies to the U.S. and Israel, Russia too wants to expand the market for its equipment. Both Russia and India are reviewing their policies.”

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 25 Nov 2014 10:04

Posted on another forum- Pukes are requesting 8 more new build F-16 C/D Block 52s as per some twitter rumours.

tsarkar · Post by **tsarkar** » 25 Nov 2014 17:48

Funny, they bought 18 new + 13 old F-16s when all the while they were saying they're getting 36 J-10.

Where one puts the donated dollar or yuan of speaks volumes about the capabilities of the birds.

vishvak · Post by **vishvak** » 25 Nov 2014 18:46

nik wrote:Pakis are experts at getting most for their $ and creating opportunities to steal from others - shown time and again

We tend to be exactly opposite - Pay double the 'list' price for our imports.

Effectively our higher defense budget is of no use as both sides end up with more or less same # of weapons. Almost feels like we are uncomfortable to have a 2x superiority our pakis even with our 4x higher budget

Giving weapons to barbarians to compete against civilized Indians is what Americans are consistent with- even at making exceptions to its own sanctions.

Cosmo_R · Post by **Cosmo_R** » 25 Nov 2014 18:49

“We’re seeing a new Russia,” C. Uday Bhaskar, director of the Delhi-based Society for Policy Studies. “With India now widening its search for defense supplies to the U.S. and Israel, Russia too wants to expand the market for its equipment. Both Russia and India are reviewing their policies.”

I for one have absolutely no problem with this. The pakis will have to pay and the Russian supply chain will bring them to their knees.

Cosmo_R · Post by **Cosmo_R** » 25 Nov 2014 18:54

Cain Marko wrote:....Otoh, India has to fork over a few billions for c17s and rafalews.

C17s serve a purpose, Rafales are gap fillers that we are being asked to pay through the noes because GoI has had no strategic defense policy since 1947. We always buy on a 'rush' 2 day shipping basis.

arun · Post by **arun** » 27 Nov 2014 15:09

X Posted from the "Pakistani Role In Global Terrorism" thread.

Uniformed Mohammadden Terrorists of the “State Actor” Security forces of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan provide covering mortar fire in order to allow Ununiformed Mohammadden Terrorists of the “Non State” variety to infiltrate into India from the Islamic Republic:

Gunfight in Jammu as militants enter India from Pakistan

The officer said a gun battle is on between the troopers and the militants

IANS | Jammu
November 27, 2014 Last Updated at 11:18 IST

A gunfight broke out Thursday when separatist guerrillas who sneaked into India from Pakistan were accosted by security forces at the border in Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

Police sources told IANS that a group of three to four militants infiltrated into the Indian side of the international border at Arnia in RS Pura area of Jammu district.

Sources added the militants entered an abandoned army bunker.

"The infiltration attempt was supported by Pakistan Rangers who fired mortar shells at BSF (Border Security Force) positions in Arnia today (Thursday) morning so that the militants could sneak in," a senior police officer said here.

The officer said a gun battle is on between the troopers and the militants.

IANS via Business Standard

Paul · Post by **Paul** » 30 Nov 2014 17:17

Strategy Page

Surface Forces: Cutters For Pakistan

November 28, 2014: The U.S. has agreed to sell Pakistan eight Global Response Cutters. These are 43 meter (143 foot), 215 ton coastal patrol ships (which the U.S. Coast Guard calls “cutters”). Top speed is 58 kilometers an hour but cruising at 18 kilometers an hour they can stay at sea for about two weeks at a time. Crew size can vary from 18-24. Weapons consist of a remote controlled 25mm or 30mm autocannon up front and four 12.7mm and four 7.62mm machine-guns that care brought out and mounted as needed. The crew also can use assault rifles and pistols. In the rear there is an eight meter rigid boat for boarding parties. Pakistan will pay $44 million per ship.

These ships are low maintenance (a glass reinforced plastic hull) and highly automated. They are air conditioned, which is an important feature for a ship operating in the tropics. The Pakistani cutters will also have some lightweight (bullet proof) armor protecting the bridge and some other areas. Pakistan has long had problems with seaborne smugglers and foreign fishing boats poaching.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 30 Nov 2014 17:39

Official Notification

http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/pa ... 3m-cutters

seems like they are also interested in 160 MRAP

http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/pa ... p-vehicles

Aditya G · Post by **Aditya G** » 02 Dec 2014 18:45

These should be headed for the Pak MSA and PCG.

Official dope here: http://www.grc43.com/photos/

Thakur_B · Post by **Thakur_B** » 02 Dec 2014 19:07

Aditya G wrote:These should be headed for the Pak MSA and PCG.

Official dope here: http://www.grc43.com/photos/

Very beautiful boat.

abhik · Post by **abhik** » 02 Dec 2014 23:07

44 Million USD per ship!? Does the shipyard accept payment in the form of Expressway?

member_23370 · Post by **member_23370** » 02 Dec 2014 23:51

Not sure if US is taking pakistan for a ride or its the other way

. That ship is basically like the cochin class but since it uses GRP instead of aluminum hull it is lighter (290 vs 215 tonne) and has longer range (4500 nm vs 1500 nm) but it also seems to cost nearly as much as 4 cochin class @ 12 million. Knowing pakis they probably get this out of the CSF fund and don't have to shell out their own money.

member_26622 · Post by **member_26622** » 03 Dec 2014 00:52

A nice evolution of cochin class would be fitting them with low cost sonar package (hull, towed or depth) and limited depth charge/rocket/light torpedoes for sanitizing coastal waters from subs+mines.

Looks like it has a steel hull with Al superstructure, which makes it susceptible to magnetic mines. We should look at developing capabilities for building fiber glass hulls in this size.

vishvak · Post by **vishvak** » 03 Dec 2014 00:56

Pakis have got another bunch of goodies from a forefather USA. We need to increase coast-guard vessels 5 times for betterment of piracy from all kind of pirates.

member_26622 · Post by **member_26622** » 03 Dec 2014 02:06

Expect Paki bozos to show up with these in Sir Creek - piracy protection and rest is typical Paki BS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_di ... #Sir_Creek

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 03 Dec 2014 04:49

pretty cool looking stabilized remote weapons stations.

Victor · Post by **Victor** » 03 Dec 2014 05:44

Wonder what the detection signature is for a composite boat like this. Even the superstructure must be composite. It could be used to sneak up on our coast and offload jihadis.

Thakur_B · Post by **Thakur_B** » 03 Dec 2014 06:01

Victor wrote:Wonder what the detection signature is for a composite boat like this. Even the superstructure must be composite. It could be used to sneak up on our coast and offload jihadis.

Even that thing would find it hard to beat our coastal radar system put in place after 26/11.

Shreeman · Post by **Shreeman** » 03 Dec 2014 10:12

^^^^ There are close to 25 silkworm capable platforms all put together as result of all this fistula. Counting the 8 cutters. Not to count the harpoon/exocet type air platforms. Beggers have assembled a navy from a 4 ship rag tag unit.

Same goes for army (hundreds of MRAP), and air force (F16).

All (more or less, ignoring thge 100 or so mirages similarly acquired) courtesy the amnerican taxpayer!

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 03 Dec 2014 11:25

Another Paki Mirage crashes. This time the pilots ejected.

PAF jet crashes in Jhang - pilots eject safely

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Mirage-5 jet crashed in Athara Hazari area situated in Punjab's Jhang district on Monday. The pilot of the aircraft managed to survive the crash.

The fighter jet was on a routine training mission when it met with the crash, according to a spokesperson of the PAF Air Commodore Tariq, who added that the aircraft's pilot remained safe in the incident as he had executed a safe ejection.

"No loss of civilian life and property has been reported on ground," the spokesman told Dawn, adding that a board of inquiry has been ordered by the Air Headquarters in Islamabad to determine the cause of accident.

A PAF Mirage training jet had crashed in Gadap area on the outskirts of Karachi on Nov 21 while it was on a training flight, killing its pilot and squadron leader Tanveer Ahmed.

Earlier in June, three people were killed and eight others injured when a PAF fighter plane had crashed at a bus terminal in Karachi’s Baldia Town area.

member_23370 · Post by **member_23370** » 03 Dec 2014 11:53

They seem to be loosing a lot of planes lately. With JF-17's on the way they will try to retire the Mirages before they kill of all their pilots.

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 03 Dec 2014 12:45

yes their Mirages are crashing at an alarming rate. But it still forms a very large part of their strike force and retiring them all will probably not happen anytime soon. They scavenged the world over for any Mirage airframe that could be used as a spares source or made airworthy, so if required, they could keep them going for another 5-6 years easily.

With the A-5 Fantans replaced by the JF-17, it will now be the oldest Mirages that will be earmarked for replacement. The additional F-16s that they're getting from various sources also helps.

member_28756 · Post by **member_28756** » 03 Dec 2014 19:35

http://www.janes.com/article/46579/idea ... -for-jf-17

Air Platforms

IDEAS 2014: Nigeria 'close to signing up' for JF-17

Farhan Bokhari, Karachi - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

02 December 2014

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is close to finalising an order for the purchase of one or two squadrons of the JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft co-produced by Pakistan and China, a senior Pakistani Ministry of Defence official told IHS Jane's on 2 December.

Speaking at the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2014 in Karachi, the official said the NAF finalised its recommendation for the purchase of 25-40 JF-17s after NAF chief air marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu visited Pakistan in October. AM Amosu's engagements in Pakistan included a visit to the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra, north of Islamabad, where the JF-17 is manufactured.

So far, the PAC has produced 50 Block 1 JF-17s and began work on another 50 Block 2 variants in late 2013. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) officials have told IHS Jane's that a Block 3 variant is being planned. While the JF-17 has PAF capability plans, it has so far failed to find an export customer.

COMMENT
PAF officials have described the JF-17 Block 3 as a fourth-generation-plus fighter, a term that is used to describe Western aircraft such as Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 60s, the Saab Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Dassault Rafale, among others.

Western officials have previously said that a first successful export of the JF-17 holds the key for the programme's long-term sustainment. Potential export customers mentioned as likely candidates for the JF-17 have included Egypt, Nigeria, Myanmar, and Venezuela.

Senior PAF officials have promoted the JF-17 as costing much less than comparable fighters produced by Western manufacturers. However, prospective customers are likely to consider established manufacturers ahead of PAC, which is a relative newcomer to the international market.

member_23370 · Post by **member_23370** » 03 Dec 2014 22:45

Shreeman wrote:^^^^ There are close to 25 silkworm capable platforms all put together as result of all this fistula. Counting the 8 cutters. Not to count the harpoon/exocet type air platforms. Beggers have assembled a navy from a 4 ship rag tag unit.

Same goes for army (hundreds of MRAP), and air force (F16).

All (more or less, ignoring thge 100 or so mirages similarly acquired) courtesy the amnerican taxpayer!

How exactly would one fit Silkworm into these piddly boats? They are pretty bulky and the boat will loose any speed advantage. At best they can carry something like C-705 and be used for coastal defence.

Cosmo_R · Post by **Cosmo_R** » 04 Dec 2014 03:22

@Kartik ^^^ Lawnetendarts?

Shreeman · Post by **Shreeman** » 04 Dec 2014 03:30

Bheeshma wrote:
Shreeman wrote:^^^^ There are close to 25 silkworm capable platforms all put together as result of all this fistula. Counting the 8 cutters. Not to count the harpoon/exocet type air platforms. Beggers have assembled a navy from a 4 ship rag tag unit.

Same goes for army (hundreds of MRAP), and air force (F16).

All (more or less, ignoring thge 100 or so mirages similarly acquired) courtesy the amnerican taxpayer!
How exactly would one fit Silkworm into these piddly boats? They are pretty bulky and the boat will loose any speed advantage. At best they can carry something like C-705 and be used for coastal defence.

During normasl operations, these boats would serve as extenbded presence/ fisheries abduction / jihadi drop off platforms.

So yes its not a normal use case.

But there is nothing piddly about a approx 50m/400t/22crew/long endurance boat. The sentinel class should have distinct advantage over the h-Azmat (slightly longer, 4xx tonnes? 12 crew?) which boards 8? C-8xx in its weight. The pauk/tarantuls are not much larger in usable space if you take into account miniaturiuzation over time.

Its a capable platform that will save a lot on operational costs and create numerous headaches in an emergency. The alamgeer is supposed to be similarly toothless, but it also can not be discoiunted out oif hand. What jugaad they create for them in bakistan is upto them.

Except for the ex-RN frigates, PN had nothing to show a decade ago. Today, they have the chinese lot, the ex-RNs, the h-Azmats, the subs, these cutters, the alamgeer, and more. Easily a growth of a couple ships per year over the last decade.