Pakistani Navy ships to visit South Africa

Jun 25, 2006
Author: P&S

Two ships of the Pakistan Navy are due to visit South African and East African ports.

It is not yet known if the visit will include a call at South African ports other than Simon's Town but this appears unlikely.

While in Simon’s Town the mission commander Zafar Mehmood Abbasi and commanding officers of the two ships will hold meetings with their counterparts in the South African Navy to discuss matter of common interest.

The two ships heading this way are the Type 21 frigate Badr (F184) and an accompanying oiler Nasr (A47).

The Type 21 frigates, of which Pakistan has six in service (F181 – F186) are all ex-Royal Navy ships, Badr being the former HMS Alacrity. She carries a crew of 180 and was built in 1977 but underwent extensive reconfiguration and upgrading in 1994 after being acquired by Pakistan. Ship’s weaponry includes torpedo tubes, missiles and a small array of conventional guns. The ship can operate at 32 knots and is driven by gas turbine engines with boosters.

In addition to visiting Simon’s Town the two ships will also call at Saudi Arabia, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam and Reunion.