China and Turkey are going all out to consolidate Pakistan’s defence arsenal even as the country’s external debt continues to accumulate and the Imran Khan government finds itself on a sticky wicket yet again ahead of this month’s plenary meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog.

While ‘iron brother’ China launched a second advanced warship for Pakistan in Shanghai last week, Turkey – its only other all-weather ally – also held a welding ceremony of the third ship of MILGEM class corvettes for the Pakistan Navy at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard (INSY).

The launch of the second Type 054 Class Frigate was held at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard on Friday with the Pakistani Navy highlighting how the warship’s induction will enhance the country’s maritime defence and deterrence capabilities.