Pakistan's recent procurement activities have sparked heated discussions: why, under the background of the "all-weather friendship" with China, does Pakistan still purchase Turkey's Babur-class frigates at a high price of $1.5 billion instead of placing an additional order for China's Type 054A/P frigates? On May 29, the second ship of Pakistan's Babur-class frigate, the "Khyber," completed harbor trials and left the Istanbul dock to begin sea trials. This event provides an opportunity for us to analyze Pakistan's strategic considerations. The answer is not that Pakistan "looks down on" Chinese warships, but rather its balance strategy in military, technology, and geopolitical aspects, as well as its emphasis on support from Muslim countries.
In 2018, Pakistan signed a $1.5 billion contract with Turkey's ASFAT company to procure four Babur-class frigates, with two built in Istanbul, Turkey, and two produced at Karachi Shipyard in Pakistan, including technology transfer. These 3,000-ton frigates are equipped with a 16-cell vertical launch system, active phased array radar, Haba anti-ship missiles, and the "Orbotos-NG" air defense system, suitable for near-sea defense, anti-submarine warfare, and rapid response, especially in the shallow waters of the northern Arabian Sea.
By contrast, the four Type 054A/P frigates procured by Pakistan from China in 2017 at a total cost of $1.4 billion, each priced at $350 million. The Type 054A/P has a displacement of about 4,000 tons, equipped with a 32-cell vertical launch system, HQ-16 air defense missiles, and C-803 anti-ship missiles, suitable for long-range operations, regional air defense, and escort missions. Its advantages are particularly evident in the protection of Gwadar Port and the Maritime Silk Road. The Type 054A/P has stronger performance, more vertical launch cells, greater modification potential, and significantly higher cost-effectiveness compared to the Babur-class frigates.
This raises a question: if the Type 054AP clearly has a better cost-performance ratio, why did Pakistan choose Turkish frigates? There are several key factors involved: first, the need for technology transfer and localization. The Babur-class project in Turkey includes a large amount of technology transfer, helping Karachi Shipyard enhance its shipbuilding capabilities and lay the foundation for Pakistan's self-developed warships. Faced with the pressure of India's modernized naval fleet, Pakistan urgently needs to develop its indigenous shipbuilding industry. However, China's Type 054A/P focuses more on finished product delivery with limited technology transfer. The cooperation model of the Babur-class not only meets Pakistan's short-term military needs but also provides support for its long-term technical accumulation.
Strategically speaking, Pakistan's procurement of Turkish frigates reflects a demand for "diversification." As a NATO member, Turkey has the advantage of accessing Western technologies. The Babur-class project provides Pakistan with an opportunity to understand NATO naval equipment and technologies, which cannot be fully replaced by Chinese equipment. Through cooperation with Turkey, Pakistan can gain NATO-standard technical experience while enhancing its ties with Muslim countries, consolidating its geopolitical support in the Islamic world. After all, Muslim countries are considered Pakistan's "last supporters," playing an important role when facing pressure from India and the West.
Pakistan's cooperation with Turkey extends beyond military procurement to deep cultural and religious ties. Turkey's influence in the Muslim world and its unique position between NATO and Islamic nations make it an important strategic partner for Pakistan. Pakistan's choice of Turkish frigates in procurement is both a pragmatic consideration in military terms and a strategic alignment with the Muslim camp. This balancing strategy ensures that Pakistan remains reliant on China's "all-weather friendship" without becoming overly single-minded in diplomacy and military matters.
In summary, Pakistan's $1.5 billion purchase of Turkey's Babur-class frigates is not due to dissatisfaction with the performance of China's Type 054A/P. Instead, it is a strategic choice based on multiple considerations. The Type 054A/P offers high cost-effective long-range combat capability, while the Babur-class contributes to local industrial development through technology transfer and opens a window to NATO technology. At the same time, Turkey, as an important partner of Muslim countries, strengthens Pakistan's support network in the Islamic world. This "win-win" strategy reflects Pakistan's flexibility and pragmatism in geopolitics and military modernization.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7515067430285197859/
Disclaimer: This article represents the author's personal views. Please express your attitude by using the "thumbs up/thumbs down" buttons below.