Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Ltd (KS&EW) launched the fourth and final BABUR (PN MILGEM) Class Corvette, PNS TARIQ (F-283), on August 2nd, 2023. The ceremony was attended by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Pakistan’s Naval Chief Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, and other high-ranking representatives from Pakistan and Turkiye.
While addressing the occasion, the Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan admired the collaboration of the Ministry of Defence Production, Ministry of National Defence of Turkiye, M/S ASFAT, KS&EW, and Pakistan Navy for synergized efforts to make the project a success and congratulated them on the successful launch of the ship. He added that the relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye is unique because of the deep-rooted historical ties between the two brotherly countries, and such defense cooperation shall continue in the future as well. He also lauded the resolve of Pakistan’s Naval Chief for his dedication to ensuring high-level maritime activities.
In his address, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz described the brotherly Pakistan-Turkiye relations as exemplary and acknowledged the potential for more collaboration in Defence Production. He lauded the efforts and remarkable work done by KS&EW and M/S ASFAT and emphasized adopting a proactive approach for the timely completion of undergoing projects.
During his speech, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi highlighted that these ships would significantly enhance Pakistan Navys combat potential and augment peace and security in the region. He also appreciated the workers’ and engineers’ dedication and hard work and congratulated all the stakeholders for achieving the milestone.
Earlier, Managing Director KS&EW Rear Admiral Salman Ilyas, in his welcome address, highlighted that the Karachi Shipyard was fully equipped to undertake multiple projects and was in the process of building the indigenously designed Gunboat and Jinnah Class frigate.
Meanwhile, a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between Pakistan and Turkiye to further enhance the defense cooperation.
BABUR / PN MILGEM Class Corvettes
BABUR or PN MILGEM Class Corvettes are the most technologically advanced surface platforms being constructed for the Pakistan Navy. The ships will be fitted with the latest Command & Control Systems, including modern weapons and sensors. The contract for constructing four BABUR Class Corvettes for Pakistan Navy was signed between the Ministry of Defence Production (Pakistan) and M/S ASFAT (Turkish Firm) in 2018. Under the project, two ships are being constructed at Istanbul Naval Shipyard, while the other two are being built at KS&EW, Karachi.
The first ship of the class was launched in August 2021 in Turkiye, the second in May 2022 at KS&EW, and the third in November 2022 in Turkiye. The deliveries of the corvettes are expected at six-month intervals starting from August 2023.
The BABUR Class is a 3,000-tonne multi-mission capable corvette equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors that include surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles as well as an advanced anti-submarine warfare suite and combat management system, enabling ships of this class to operate under multi-threat scenarios.
Key Specifications:
Length: 108.20 m
Beam: 14.80 m
Draught: 4.10 m
Displacement: 3,041 tonnes
Max. Speed: 26 knots
Range: 4,000 nm
Complement: 142
Credit: Defense Insider
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