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,
(
. , .
-C;rieral
( M. Zia-ul-Haq )
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