Islamabad: The Pakistan Navy is set to acquire a 30-year-old Oliver Perry class frigate, USS McInerney, from the United States at a whopping cost of about USD 78 million.
The three-decade old frigate, which was put on the US Navy’s inactivation list in September last year, is likely to start its journey to the Karachi port by the end of 2010.
It is worth mentioning here that Islamabad is negotiating with Washington for five more Oliver Perry class frigates.
Sources in the Pakistan Navy said that the frigate is actually a gift from the US and will fly the Pakistani flag as cost-efficient “hot-transfer”. However, the US Defence Security Department through a notification to the Congress had clarified that the frigate along with its equipments, parts and logistical support will be worth at least USD 78 million.
USS McInerney is equipped with anti-submarine missile defence system, surface-to-surface missiles, and with helicopter deck landing facilities, The Dawn reports.
ANI
First Published: Friday, March 05, 2010, 11:26