Pakistan gets Chinese frigate

ISLAMABAD - China has handed over a second new-build F-22P frigate to Pakistan at an impressive vessel launching ceremony held at Hudong Shipyard, a Pakistan Navy spokesman confirmed on Friday.

The spokesman said that the vessel, which is second of the four ships of the same class, is likely to reach Pakistan by March 2009. He said crew of the said vessel has been nominated and would proceed to China in January, adding the crew would undergo preliminary training ahead of boarding the vessel to bring it to Pakistan.