Pakistan Navy commissions first of two 2,300 tonne corvettes
Pakistan Navy has commissioned state-of-the-art 2300-tons Corvette PNS Yarmook to safeguard its maritime borders.
The commissioning ceremony of the ship, a Damen Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) 1900, was held at Constanta Port, Romania on 13th February 2020.
Speaking at the occasion, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Muhammad Fayyaz Gilani emphasized the importance of corvettes in the maritime domain. “The induction of these platforms will act as force multipliers in enhancing Navy’s capability of safeguarding maritime interests,” he said.
Vice Admiral Fayyaz alo lauded the professional competence of Damen Shipyards and cooperation in delivering high-quality platforms in record time.
PNS Yarmook is a state of the art electronic warfare, anti-ship & anti-air warfare platform with cutting edge self-protection and terminal defence systems.
“The ship is capable to perform a variety of maritime operations, transport helicopter & Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) simultaneously” according to the official statement by Pakistan Navy (PN).
PN officials had previously stated that these vessels “will act as force multipliers in enhancing [the] navy’s capability of safeguarding maritime frontiers and will offer more flexibility in the conduct of [the] Pakistan Navy’s initiative of independent Regional Maritime Security Patrols in the Indian Ocean Region”.
The second vessel of the class, Tabuk, which was launched on 3 September 2019, is set to enter service in May 2020.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Chief Naval Overseer (Romania), diplomats from friendly countries, senior management of M/s DAMEN Shipyards, Gorinchem & Galati and Officials of Ministry of Defense Production, Pakistan.
Commissioning Ceremony of #PakNavy's
— Rear Admiral M Arshid Javed DGPR Navy (@dgprPaknavy) February 15, 2020
Corvette PNS YARMOOK held at Romania. VCNS, V/ Adm M Fayyaz Gilani was the Chief Guest. PNS YARMOOK war suit include Electronic, anti-ship & anti-air warfare capabilities. It will be a force multiplier in safeguarding Pak maritime interests. pic.twitter.com/8sCHZaSDDR