Genr3 ISLArl!`,DAD

Ej Ziga'ad 11102 A.H.

September 1982

Her ExceliencyThe Rt. Hon. Mrs Margaret Thatcher, M.P.,Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,London.

I thank Your Excellency for your hind letter

of August 24, 1982, regarding the sunbility for the Pakistan

.Navy of Type-21 frigates manufactured by Vesper Thornycroft

Limited.

The Pakistan Navy greatly values its traditional

associations v.,ith the Royal Navy and holds in high regard the

capability of the British ship-building industry. It is at present

engaged in the evaluation of several offers for the supply of

frigates, including the offer from Vesper Thornycroft. While the

(ELTHE ISLAMIC FEPUBLV OF FAVt'.:FAN

Pakistan Navy Isould undoubtedly consider the performance

capabilities of the various craft availt-,ble, the respective costs

and financial conditions would eiso feature significantly in the

evaluation. Our preferenc,e .,-;cuid be for a British vessel and

it is our hope that the price and otl-ler terms of the package

offered by Vosper Thornycroft tHilbe tKe mo,st favourable.

Your steadfast espaus! of our legitimate ne,,,d to

auquire a ryiedest defensive cap'ability has been not only

characteristically perceptive but also adilirably courageous.

May I avail myself of this opportunity to reiteratf::,

our appreciation of your Government's position on the qualitative

change of historic import which has tal:.en place in the security

environrint of our region and convey our gratitude for the

support extended to Pakistan by the United Kingdom.

1,

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-C;rieral

( M. Zia-ul-Haq )

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