[19] In December 2017, the Pakistan Navy clarified that it had purchased the Type 054A in June 2017 and that an option for two more vessels was being considered.

[13] The construction of the first frigate of the series began at HDZH's Shanghai-based shipyard in 2018; the vessel was later launched in an elaborate ceremony, on 22 August 2020 - with representatives of the Pakistan Navy in attendance.

[34] Other reports have also stipulated that the frigates may be equipped with the CM-401 anti-ship ballistic missile, capable of traversing at hypersonic speeds; however, this is yet to be confirmed.

[36] As part its anti-air warfare (AAW) capabilities, the class features the LY-80N medium-range surface-to-air missiles (SAM), with a reported range of up to 70 km (43 mi).

[37] The class also features two 11-barrel 30 mm (1.2 in) Type 1130 close-in weapon systems (CIWS), primarily for neutralizing aerial and surface targets.

[40] As part of its aviation facilities, the frigates are equipped with the Harbin Z-9EC naval helicopter - the Pakistani-specific anti-submarine (ASW) variant of the Harbin Z-9C, operated by the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force; the Z-9EC will also be equipped with the CM-501GA land-attack missiles - with a reported range of 40 km (25 mi).

[41] The frigates are equipped with a flight-deck and an enclosed aviation hangar, capable of accommodating a single Z-9 or the Kamov Ka-27 medium-lift helicopter, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).

[2] Following its initial commissioning in Shanghai on 8 November 2021, Tughril embarked on its maiden voyage to Pakistan, making port-calls to the Philippines, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

[57][58] The second frigate, PNS Taimur, was commissioned on 23 June 2022, at the Hudong Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai, with Commodore Rashid Mehmood Sheikh, the head of the Pakistan Navy's Chinese mission, in attendance.