In what will be one of the biggest defence deals between the two nations, China has revealed its plans of exporting eight stealth attack submarines to Pakistan as a part of an agreement signed earlier in the year, reports People’s Daily Online China.
This move will take the number of submarines in the Pakisatani fleet sharply up to 13. These underwater vessels are expected to be inducted by 2028.
China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation’s chairman, Hu Wenming, confirmed the deal during a press conference. A report on the matter was also published on the Chinese military's official website.
Hu Wenming also confirmed that CSIC will set up a training center in Karachi, reports The Diplomat. The report further adds the total cost of the deal is estimated at $4 to $5 billion.
Earlier, The head of Pakistan’s next-generation submarine programme and senior naval officials briefed the members of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defence on 26 August regarding the deal worth approximately USD 4 to 5 billion, according to state-run media.
Reuters also reported in April that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif approved the deal terming it as "one of China's largest overseas weapons sales once it is signed".
In April, a senior Pakistan Navy official had announced that Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) had secured a contract to produce four of the eight submarines, which will be fitted with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems.
Often described as Pakistan’s “all weather friend”, China is expected to extend a long term loan to Pakistan at a low interest rate to cover the cost of the project, the report said.
(With Inputs from PTI, People’s Daily Online China)
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