Tariq class frigate

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

PNS Babur (ex-RN Amazon)

General Characteristics Pakistan Navy Jack
Displacement: 3,700 tons full load
Length: Overall Length: 384 ft
Beam: 41.7 ft
Draft: 19.5 ft(screws)
Propulsion: 2 Rolls Royce TM3B gas turbines (50,000hp (37.3MW) sustained) 2 Rolls Royce RM1C gas-turbines (cruising) (9.900hp (7.4MW) sustained)
Speed: 30 knots
Range: 4,000 miles(17kts) 1,200 miles(30kts)
Complement: 19 Officers, 200 Sailors
Missiles: SSM Harpoon SAM LY-60 (N)
Guns: 1 Vickers 4.5in (114mm)/55 Mk 8(25rds/min to 22km (11.9nm) AS/AA) 1 Vulcan Phalanx 20mm CIWS (3,000rds/min to 1.5km)
Torpedoes: Wire-guided Bofors Type 43x2 2 Triple Mk-46
Sensors: Radar, ESM, Periscopes, Sonar Passive Towed Array
Radars: DA-08 992 1006/1007 ESM DR-3000
Helicopter: Lynx HAS-3

The Tariq class Frigates (UK Amazon Type 21) were acquired from the United Kingdom in 1993-94. They were bought in order to replace the Garcia class and Brooke class frigates which, due to the Pressler Amendment, Pakistan had to return to the United States at the end of their five-year lease. In 1988, the Pakistani and UK Government set up a joint committee to explore future requirements during a low key visit of Lord Trefgarne, the then UK Minister of State for defence procurement. Discussion for the purchase of 6 ex-RN Amazon class frigates began in 1992.

The first UK Amazon Type 21 frigate was turned over to the Pakistan Navy in July 1993 and arrived in Pakistan some four months later after a period of preparation work and training. The second purchased arrived in late 1993 and the last two in January 1995. Upon delivery, the first four underwent upgrade to equip them with the 9LV Mk3 command, control and communication system as well as Bofors torpedoes and, reportedly, the BAeSEMA-Thomson Sintra active towed array sonars.