The fourth naval frigate, which is being manufactured indigenously, will formally be handed over to Pakistan Navy by June this year to further strengthen the country's defence. This was disclosed by officials of Ministry of Defence Production, while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production, which met here with Lieutenant General (Retd) Javed Asharaf Qazi in the chair, here at the Parliament House on Friday.
The Committee was briefed in detail about the process of procurement of defence related equipments and the award of contracts. It was also informed about the on-going defence projects of Pakistan Navy and Military Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (MVRDE).
The committee was informed that the 4th naval frigate is being manufactured indigenously and will formally be handed over to Pakistan Navy by June this year. It is pertinent to mention here that China is also manufacturing a number of naval frigates for Pakistan Navy. The committee, while expressing satisfaction over the briefing, also directed the ministry to rely on indigenous resources for meeting the defence requirements to encourage the local industry.
Later talking to media persons, the chairman of the committee said that owing to the present economic downfall, the committee could not recommend purchasing sub-marines. He further said that the committee also directed the Pakistan Navy to make strategy by keeping in view the requirements for the next 25 years.
The Committee expressed satisfaction on the procedures being followed and transparency in the procurement and monitoring system. The Committee appreciated Ministry of Defence Production and its attached departments for their comprehensive briefing and the mechanism adopted for purchasing new equipments.
The meeting was attended among others by Deputy Chairman Senate Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali and Senators Sardar Ali Khan, Raja Muhammad Zafar ul Haq, Professor Khurshid Ahmed, Haji Muhammad Adeel, Moulana Muhammad Khan Sherani and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. Secretary Ministry of Defence Production and high-ranking officials of the Defence Production also attended the meeting.