The Pakistan Navy is set to fortify its defence capabilities with the induction of two advanced warships, PNS Babar and PNS Hunain, into its fleet. The induction ceremony will take place on Defence Day, September 6, with President Asif Ali Zardari as the chief guest.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), PNS Babar was constructed in Turkiye, while PNS Hunain was built in Romania. These additions will significantly bolster the Pakistan Navy’s maritime defence.
Construction of PNS Babar began on June 4, 2020, and the ship was launched on August 15, 2021, before being commissioned on September 23, 2023. The Pakistan Navy is inducting four Babar-class ships, all equipped with a vertical launching system, which enhances the Navy’s capability to counter aerial threats. Two ships are being manufactured in Istanbul and two in Karachi under a Pak-Turkey agreement.
The third offshore patrol vessel (OPV), PNS Hunain, recently arrived in Karachi from Romania. Built at Damen Shipyard, the ship is equipped with state-of-the-art electronic warfare systems and weapons for anti-ship, anti-air warfare, and self-protection. It was commissioned in July 2023.
Vice Admiral Faisal Abbasi, Commodore Pakistan Fleet, highlighted that PNS Hunain’s induction will significantly enhance the Navy’s ability to safeguard Pakistan’s maritime frontiers and support maritime security patrols in the Indian Ocean.
The reception ceremony for PNS Hunain was attended by numerous Navy officers, CPOs, sailors, and families of the crew members.
