Pakistan Navy Inducts Two State-of-the-Art Ships Into Its Fleet

In a graceful ceremony held at the Pakistan Naval Dockyard in Karachi, the Pakistan Navy inducted two advanced warships—PNS Babur and PNS Hunain—into its fleet on Defense and Martyrs Day, commemorating the 1965 war with India. President Asif Ali Zardari was the chief guest, alongside top military officials, including the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf. International dignitaries from Türkiye including Deputy Minister of National Defence, Bilal Burdali and Romanian officials also attended the ceremony.

The two warships, developed in collaboration with Türkiye and Romania, are equipped with cutting-edge technology, significantly enhancing Pakistan’s maritime security. PNS Babur, a MILGEM-class corvette, was built at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard in Türkiye, and PNS Hunain, an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), was constructed at Romania’s DAMEN Shipyard.

During the address, Chief Guest President Zardari praised the teamwork between the countries involved and the dedication of the naval personnel. He stated, “These ships symbolize our enduring friendship with Türkiye and the trust we place in Romania’s DAMEN Shipyard.” He also emphasized the importance of strengthening the Navy’s capacity to defend Pakistan’s maritime borders and protect vital trade routes.

PNS Babur: A New Era

Commissioned on September 23, 2023, PNS Babur is part of the MILGEM project signed between the Pakistan Navy and Türkiye’s ASFAT in 2018. The MILGEM-class corvette is a 99-meter-long multipurpose ship with a displacement of 2,400 tons and a top speed of 29 knots. Designed with advanced radar-evading capabilities, the corvette is armed with MBDA’s Albatros NG air defense system and Harbah anti-ship and land-attack missiles.

Propulsion System:

PNS Babur is powered by one LM2500 gas turbine in a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) propulsion system with two shafts and controllable pitch propellers (CPP). The ship is equipped with four diesel generators, providing a total propulsion power of 31,600 kilowatts. This advanced propulsion setup allows the ship to reach high speeds while maintaining efficiency in fuel consumption and extending its operational range.

Capabilities and Dimensions:

The MILGEM corvettes, like PNS Babur, are designed for a wide range of missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, surface-to-surface warfare, and surface-to-air warfare. The ship measures 108.2 meters in length, with a beam of 14.8 meters and a draft of 4.05 meters.

Operational Performance:

The corvette can achieve a maximum speed of 31 knots and has a range of 3,500 nautical miles, with the endurance to remain at sea for up to 15 days. It can accommodate 93 officers and sailors, with berthing space for an additional 40 personnel during extended missions.

Features:

• Length Overall: 113.2 meters
• Length Waterline: 105.2 meters
• Beam (Max): 14.4 meters
• Draught: 4.05 meters
• Displacement: 3,000 tons
• Maximum Speed: 29+ knots
• Cruise Speed: 14 knots
• Endurance: 5,700 nautical miles at 14 knots

Weapons Systems:

• 76 mm Super Rapid Main Gun
• Close-In Weapon System (CIWS)
• 3×2 Launcher for Surface-to-Surface Missiles (SSM)2×25 mm Stabilized Naval Gun (STOP)2×6 Cell Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM)
• 2x Torpedo Launching System (TLS)
• Surveillance and Defense Systems:
• 3D Surveillance Radar: Provides detection and diagnosis for all types of warfare.Fire Control Radar
• Hull Mounted Sonar: Integral for anti-submarine warfare.
• Additional Features:
• 10-ton Helicopter Platform2x7.5-meter RHIB boatGenesis Advent Combat Management System (CMS)

Product Capabilities of PNS Babur:

• Effective Long-Range Weapon Systems: Equipped with surface-to-surface, surface-to-air, and close air defense capabilities.
• Effective Long-Range Sensors: Features a three-dimensional search radar, fire control radar, and hull-mounted sonar system for effective detection and diagnosis.
• High Reliability and Survivability: Built with an indigenous design and superior characteristics, the ship is resilient in various sea conditions and offers high shock resistance, meeting military design and construction standards.
• Low Radar, Magnetic, and Acoustic Trace: Specially designed to minimize detectability by radar, sonar, and mines, enhancing the ship’s stealth capabilities.
• Platform Control and Monitoring System: A modern system that monitors and controls onboard operations, reducing personnel intervention and manpower requirements.
• CBRN Protection: PNS Babur is designed to withstand Chemical, Biological, Radiation, and Nuclear (CBRN) threats, ensuring survivability in extreme conditions.

PNS Babur will be integral to Pakistan Navy’s operations, including anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and surface warfare missions. The project includes the construction of four ships, with two being built in Istanbul and the remaining two in Pakistan, ensuring technology transfer and enhancing Pakistan’s domestic shipbuilding capabilities.

PNS Hunain: Strengthening Offshore Patrol Capabilities

The OPV PNS Hunain, launched on July 25, 2024, is the latest addition to the Yarmook-class vessels built by DAMEN Shipyard for the Pakistan Navy. With a length of 98 meters and a displacement of 2,600 tons, the OPV can reach a top speed of 24 knots. It can operate in Sea State 6 and survive in sea state 9, with waves reaching over 46 feet.

Weapons and Sensors: The OPV 2600 is equipped with a main 76mm gun located on the bow deck, along with two 20mm secondary guns. The ship’s sensor suite includes a medium-range surveillance radar and an electro-optical fire control sensor, allowing for precise operations in various maritime environments.

Operational Capabilities: The ship is equipped with a helicopter deck and hangars, enabling it to conduct helicopter missions as a fundamental part of its operations. These capabilities make the OPV PNS Hunain ideally suited for a variety of roles, including border surveillance, counter-piracy, anti-smuggling operations, and missions supporting the ongoing campaign against drug and weapons trafficking.

In simple terms, the OPV 2600 is designed to be very flexible for different missions. It has special spaces called “mission modules” where different types of equipment or technology can be quickly added or removed, depending on the mission. The ship can carry up to five of these modules, with room for five more if needed.

This means the ship can easily be reconfigured for various tasks, such as:

• Anti-submarine warfare: Tracking and fighting enemy submarines.
• Mine countermeasures: Finding and removing sea mines.
• Unmanned operations: Launching drones or unmanned surface vehicles for surveillance or other tasks.
• Floating hospital: Turning the ship into a medical facility to provide care during emergencies.

By adding the right equipment and trained personnel for a specific mission, the OPV 2600 can quickly be turned into a specialized ship, making it very adaptable and useful for many different roles.

Vice Admiral Faisal Abbasi, Commander Pakistan Fleet, emphasized that the induction of PNS Hunain would significantly enhance the Navy’s ability to safeguard its maritime frontiers. “The addition of such multipurpose, state-of-the-art platforms will bolster Pakistan Navy’s maritime security patrol in the Indian Ocean,” Abbasi said during the arrival ceremony of PNS Hunain in Karachi.

Minister for Maritime Affairs, Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh, praised the Pakistan Navy and all parties involved in successfully commissioning the ships. “This boost strengthens Pakistan’s maritime capabilities and ensures the security of our waters,” Shaikh noted.

International Cooperation and Bilateral Exercises

PNS Hunain has already played a role in strengthening Pakistan’s diplomatic and defense ties through a series of international exercises during its maiden voyage from Romania to Pakistan:

• The ship participated in a bilateral exercise with the Royal Navy of Oman’s RNOV SADH, focusing on joint maritime operations.
• PNS Hunain visited Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, conducting a bilateral exercise with Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) Ship Al Riyadh. Commanding Officer of PNS Hunain held meetings with RSNF Western Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Mansoor bin Saood Al Jayyad, discussing matters of mutual interest.
• The vessel participated in Exercise TURGUTREIS-X with the Turkish Coast Guard Ship Gelibolu, enhancing interoperability between the Pakistan and Turkish navies.

These exercises, coupled with the ship’s visits to Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, have further cemented Pakistan’s defense relationships with these nations.

A Symbol of Resilience and Cooperation

Defense and Martyrs Day, observed annually on September 6, honors the sacrifices made by Pakistan’s armed forces during the 1965 war. The induction of these technologically advanced warships on this day highlights Pakistan’s commitment to modernizing its Navy and ensuring the protection of its maritime interests.

Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of Naval Staff, emphasized the importance of a robust naval presence amid the complex security environment of the Indian Ocean. “The induction of PNS Babur and PNS Hunain is a major milestone in the capacity building of the Pakistan Navy, enabling us to better meet our ever-growing operational responsibilities,” he stated, acknowledging the professionalism of ASFAT and DAMEN Shipyards for delivering potent warships in record time.

In line with the Pakistan Navy’s strategic vision, which aims to expand its surface fleet to 50 ships, including 20 major surface vessels, the induction of PNS Babur and PNS Hunain marks a critical step in the Navy’s modernization drive. The ships are expected to serve the Pakistan Navy for years to come, reinforcing the nation’s ability to defend its maritime borders, ensure regional stability, and contribute to international maritime security.

The ceremony, attended by high-ranking military officials, construction yard representatives, and political leaders, concluded with the formal handover of the ships’ scrolls to the Commander Pakistan Fleet, symbolizing their official induction into the Pakistan Navy.

Admiral Naveed Ashraf’s message on Defense and Martyrs Day underscored the Navy’s unwavering commitment to defending Pakistan’s maritime borders. “The Pakistan Navy stands vigilant and unfaltering in its commitment to defend maritime borders and secure vital sea routes—the lifeblood of our economy,” Ashraf said. He highlighted the importance of these latest inductions for Pakistan’s maritime security, stating, “The latest additions to Pakistan Navy Fleet are ushering in a new era of deterrence, underscoring our relentless pursuit of formidable defense to ensure vibrant economic activities and national prosperity.” As the Navy moves forward, these new ships symbolize Pakistan’s commitment to defending its maritime frontiers, supporting regional stability, and advancing its naval strength. With the induction of PNS Babur and PNS Hunain, the Pakistan Navy continues to build a strong naval presence that not only protects the nation’s interests but also propels it to a stronger position in the maritime nations.

This defense byte was published in another form at https://defensetalks.com/pakistan-navy-inducts-two-state-of-the-art-ships-into-its-fleet/