Pakistan Navy Adds Two New Naval Vessels To Its Fleet – PNS Babur And PNS Hunain
The Pakistan Navy has commissioned the first PN Milgem class PNS Babur (P-280) corvette built in Turkey and the third Yarmook class PNS Hunain (F-273) offshore patrol vessel built in Romania simultaneously in a ceremony held at the Karachi Naval Dockyard in September. The official commissioning ceremony of these two new and advanced vessels, representing an important milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen its naval forces, was witnessed by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari as the Chief Guest. The ceremony was also attended by a number of senior military and political officials, including Turkish Deputy Defence Minister Bilal Durdali, Chief of General Staff Sahir Shamshad Mirza, and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf.
During the ceremony, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari underscored the critical role of a robust naval force in the face of the challenging geo-strategic environment in the Indian Ocean. He highlighted that the induction of these ships into the PN Fleet would significantly enhance the Fleet’s capacity to fulfill its ever-expanding operational duties. The Chief Guest also noted that PN Ships BABUR and HUNAIN, equipped with cutting-edge weapons, sensors, and robust machinery, are poised to serve the Pakistan Navy for years, further strengthening the nation’s defense.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf termed the induction of these ships in the PN Fleet a significant milestone in the Fleet’s capacity-building. He also acknowledged the professional competence of M/s ASFAT, Istanbul Shipyard, DAMEN Shipyard Galati Romania, and the entire project team for delivering potent ships, which showcased the deep-rooted friendship and cooperation between friendly countries.
PNS BABUR /PN MİLGEM Project
PNS BABUR is the first of the four corvettes produced for PN under the ‘Pakistan MİLGEM Project,’ with ASFAT, a company affiliated with the Turkish Ministry of Defence, as the prime contractor. The construction activities of the ship started on 4 June 2020 and were launched on 15 August 2021. PNS Babur was handed over to the Pakistan Navy at a ceremony held in Istanbul on 23 September 2023. The second, third, and fourth ships of the project, PNS Badr (F-281), PNS Khaibar, and PNS Tariq, were all launched in 2022 and are expected to be delivered in 2025 and 2026.
Each corvette, called MİLGEM or ‘JINNAH Class,” is 108.2 meters long and 14.8 meters wide, with a displacement of 2,400 tonnes and a draft of 4.1 meters. Powered by two diesel engines and a gas turbine, they can achieve up to 26 knots per hour. The vessels are equipped with a platform hangar for a 10-tonne helicopter, allowing for round-the-clock sorties and a wide array of support equipment. In terms of armament, They feature two 6-cell Surface-to-air guided missile Systems, two 3-launcher Surface-to-Surface Guided Missile Systems, a 76 mm SUPERRAPID Main Gun, a Torpedo Launch System, a Close Air Defence System, two 25 mm Remotely Operated Stabilised Cannon Systems (STOP), a Hull-Mounted Sonar, and a torpedo Jamming / Deception System (TKAS).
PNS Hunain/ The Yarmook program.
PNS Hunain (F-273) is the first of two offshore patrol vessels based on the OPV-2600 design ordered by the Pakistan Navy from Dutch shipbuilder Damen in 2022. This order continues the contract signed in 2017 between the Ministry of Defence Production of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Damen to supply two OPV-1900-based offshore patrol vessels.
Under the first contract, the Pakistan Navy received the first two ships from Damen in 2020. The ships, named PNS Yarmook (F-271) and PNS Tabuk (F-272), were commissioned a few months apart in the same year. The construction of PNS Hunain (F-273), the first of the follow-on contract and the third of the Yarmook class ships, started in 2022 at Damen Shipyard in Galati, Romania, and was delivered to the Pakistan Navy in July 2024. The last ship of the contract, PNS YAMAMA (F-274), launched on 21 February 2024 in Romania and is currently undergoing sea trials, is expected to be ready for delivery in 2025.
The OPV 2600 is the latest of four new second-generation offshore patrol vessels designed by Damen Shipyards to support various Navy and Coast Guard missions. Damen OPV 2600 is primarily intended for offshore and coastal exploration, surveillance, and control (poaching, drug trafficking, human trafficking, etc.), humanitarian aid in natural disasters, and search and rescue missions. The vessel has an overall length of 98m, a beam of 14.4m, a draught of 4m, and a displacement of 2,600t. Four 2,350kW engines propel the OPV 2600 ship. The vessel has a top speed of 26 knots, a range of 7,000nmi, and an endurance of 40 days. The Damen OPV 2600 offshore patrol vessel has one 76mm main gun and two 20mm secondary guns. The ship’s sensor package includes a medium-range surveillance radar and an E/O fire control sensor. The ship can also accommodate a 60-person crew and an NH-90 helicopter.
The PN Milgem and Yarmook projects are just two of the programs Pakistan has initiated to modernize its naval forces and make them ready to counter current threats. In addition, Islamabad purchased four Type 054 A/P multipurpose frigates from China in 2018, all of which were delivered to the PN. Turkish defense company STM is also working to modernize the French-made AGOSTA 90 B submarines in the Pakistan Navy’s inventory.