Pakistan Navy to induct advance warships Babar, Hunain on Defense Day

KARACHI: Pakistan Navy is set to bolster its fleet with the induction of two cutting-edge warships, PNS Babar and PNS Hunain, on September 6, coinciding with Defence Day celebrations, the military’s media wing said in a statement.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), President Asif Ali Zardari will grace the occasion as the chief guest.

These advanced warships, constructed in Turkiye and Romania, respectively, will significantly enhance the Pakistan Navy’s defense capabilities, the statement added.

The construction of PNS Babar began on June 4, 2020, While, it was launched on August 15, 2021, and its commissioning took place on September 23, 2023, marking a milestone in the navy’s modernization efforts.

PNS Hanin, the third offshore patrol vessel built in Romania, will also join the Pakistan Navy.

Additionally, four Babar-class ships, equipped with vertical launching systems, are being inducted, with two more under construction in Istanbul and Karachi under a Pak-Turkey agreement.

The Pakistan Navy is enhancing its fleet with the addition of four Babur-class corvettes, a subclass of the Turkish MILGEM project.

These heavy corvettes are being constructed in collaboration with Turkey, with two ships being built in Istanbul and two in Karachi.

The Babur-class ships are designed for multi-dimensional warfare, capable of engaging targets on the surface, underwater, and in the air. They feature advanced vertical launch systems and are part of a broader effort to modernize the Pakistan Navy’s capabilities.

In addition to the Babur-class corvettes, the Pakistan Navy is also receiving three Yarmouk-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), built in Romania.

The Yarmouk-class ships are based on the Dutch Damen Group’s OPV 1900 design and have a displacement of 2600 tons. They are equipped for surface and air warfare, as well as search and rescue operations, and feature a vertical launching system for surface-to-air missiles.

The third Yarmouk-class OPV, PNS Hunain, has been completed and boasts a speed of 24 knots, a 76 mm main gun, and two 20 mm secondary guns. The fourth and final Yarmouk-class vessel, PNS Yamama, is nearing completion after its launch in February.

The Babar-class ships boast multi-dimensional combat capabilities, featuring a 2,888-tonne vertical launch system designed to counter aerial threats.