A graceful ceremony for induction of MILGEM Class Corvette Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) BABUR and Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) PNS HUNAIN was held at Pakistan Navy (PN) Dockyard Karachi. President of Pakistan, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
PNS BABUR is a multipurpose ship built and commissioned at Istanbul Naval Shipyard on September 23, 2023 whereas PNS HUNAIN, an OPV, was built and commissioned at DAMEN Shipyard, Romania on July 25, 2024.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Guest dilated upon the precarious geostrategic environment in the Indian Ocean and the need to have a potent naval force to counter growing traditional and non-traditional challenges. He remarked that induction of state-of-the-art ships on the Defense Day of Pakistan is a historic achievement. He reiterated that induction of these ships in PN fleet will consolidate and enable the fleet to meet its ever-growing operational responsibilities. The Chief Guest also mentioned that PN Ships BABUR and HUNAIN, equipped with advanced weapons, sensors, and robust machinery, will serve the Pakistan Navy for years to come. The Chief Guest formally handed over the ships' scrolls to the Commander of the Pakistan Fleet, marking the induction of PN Ships BABUR and HUNAIN into the PN fleet.
In his welcome address, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) termed the induction of these ships in PN Fleet as a major milestone in the capacity building of PN Fleet. He acknowledged the government's full support for providing best possible resources for this purpose. 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.
The ceremony was also attended by Deputy Minister of National Defense Turkiye, H. E. Mr. Bilal Burdali, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), senior representatives of construction yards, political leadership and high-ranking officials of the armed forces.
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