DIMDEX 2022: Pakistan showcases frigate PNS Shamsheer.

Pakistan showcases the Zulfiquar-class frigate Shamsheer at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2022), organized by Qatar Armed Forces.

Pakistan F-22P Zulfiquar-class  frigate Shamsheer(Picture source: Navy Recognition)

PNS Shamsheer (FFG-252) is the second F-22P Zulfiquar-class guided missile frigate currently in active service with the Pakistan Navy since her commissioning in 2009.

The Zulfiquar-class frigate, also known as F-22P or in English: Sword class, is a class of multi-mission guided-missile frigates, currently in service with the Pakistan Navy. The class is based on an updated model of the Chinese design, the Type 053H3.

The armory features the Chinese engineered Russian patent, AK-176M–a 76.2 mm caliber– being the main artillery gun with the distinction of that the Chinese variant adopts the stealth turret to reduce radar cross-section.

The gun is designed to engage enemy warships, aircraft, and anti-ship missiles. In front of the main gun are two 6-cell RDC-32, the anti-submarine rocket launchers.

The launchpad has eight cells each containing one missile and is fitted on the amount that can be elevated and traversed in the direction of the threat. The FM-90N can engage several targets, including supersonic and subsonic sea-skimming missiles, using different guidance modes simultaneously. The system is also designed to engage small targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).