On 2nd August, the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works in Karachi witnessed the launch of the fourth MILGEM class corvette, which is a navy warship named “PNS Tariq (283)”.
The event was graced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz.
The MILGEM project was initiated in 2018, aiming to construct four corvettes for the Pakistan Navy, with two being built in Pakistan and two in Turkiye.
Last year, the Prime Minister attended the launch of the third Naval Corvette, PNS Khyber, in Istanbul.
The first two corvettes, PNS Babur and PNS Badar, were launched in August 2021 and May 2022 in Istanbul and Karachi, respectively.
The MILGEM project symbolizes the enduring collaboration between Pakistan and Turkiye in the maritime domain.
This project is a significant step towards achieving self-reliance and indigenization, effectively meeting the critical security needs of the Pakistan Navy.
Pak-Turkish Agreement
The launch of the 4 warships was a collaborative effort between the Turkish Defense Firm, ASFAT, and Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW).
This marks the completion of the Milgem agreement between the Pakistan Navy and ASFAT, with 2 ships manufactured in Türkiye and the remaining two in Pakistan, at Karachi Shipyard.
Military Factory and Shipyard Operations Inc. (ASFAT) was the main contractor for this project, and they also shared technology and know-how with Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW).
PNS Tariq, the latest addition, is a modern corvette equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and weapon systems. The ship signifies the continued commitment to enhancing the combat potential of the Pakistan Navy with cutting-edge technology and advanced capabilities.
About the Ship
The recently launched ship, PNS Tariq (283), has impressive dimensions with a length of 108.2 meters and a width of 14.8 meters. The term “Milgem” derives from “Milli Gemi,” which translates to “National Ship” in Turkish, symbolizing its significance.
In terms of air defense capabilities, PNS Tariq will be equipped with CAMM-ER (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile – Extensive Range) with a reach of 50 to 70 kilometers, providing protection against a wide array of aerial threats, including aircraft, UAVs, and missiles.
Additionally, the ship will feature the Turkish Aselsan-built Gökdeniz close-in weapon system for point air defense.
Furthermore, PNS Tariq will be armed with 6 Harbah-NG long-range anti-ship & land attack cruise missiles housed in two tri-cell launchers.
Strong Ties Between Pakistan and Turkey
During the event, the Prime Minister of Pakistan praised the collective efforts of various entities, including the Ministry of Defence Production, Ministry of National Defence of Turkiye, M/s ASFAT, KS&EW, and Pakistan Navy, for successfully launching the ship.
He emphasized the unique and historically rooted relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye, highlighting the ongoing defense cooperation that will continue to flourish.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz also addressed the ceremony, describing the Pakistan-Turkiye relations as exemplary and expressing appreciation for potential collaboration in Defense Production.
He commended the work of KS&EW and M/s ASFAT, urging a proactive approach to ensure the timely completion of ongoing projects.
Furthermore, Vice President Yilmaz strongly condemned recent terrorism incidents in Pakistan and expressed gratitude to the people of Pakistan for their unwavering support during the earthquake in Turkiye.
This reinforces the bonds of brotherhood and solidarity between the two nations.
Enhancing Pakistan Navy’s Combat Potential
Pakistan Navy’s combat potential is set to receive a significant boost with the introduction of new ships, as emphasized by Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, in his recent speech.
These additions are expected to play a crucial role in enhancing peace and security in the region.
Karachi Shipyard, represented by MD KS&EW Rear Admiral Salman Ilyas, expressed their commitment to the government’s objectives of achieving self-reliance in the defense shipbuilding industry in a welcome address.
The collaboration between the Navy and Karachi Shipyard reflects a joint effort to strengthen Pakistan’s defense capabilities and ensure a safer maritime environment.
These PN MILGEM class ships represent the pinnacle of technological advancement among surface platforms constructed for the Pakistan Navy, showcasing the nation’s commitment to enhancing its maritime defense capabilities with state-of-the-art vessels.
