The steel cutting ceremony of the fourth MILGEM Class Corvettes for the Pakistan Navy was held at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW), Pakistan.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The event marked an important milestone in the construction schedule for the fourth MILGEM Corvette for PN.
Pakistan Navy has concluded a contract with M/s ASFAT for the construction of 04 x corvettes out of which two are being constructed at Istanbul Naval Shipyard whereas the remaining two at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works. These corvettes will be fitted with state-of-art Surface, Sub-Surface and Anti-Air Weapons & Sensors, integrated through an advanced Network Centric Combat Management System.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chief of the Naval Staff expressed that it is a matter of pride to witness the Steel Cutting of the fourth PN MILGEM Corvettes at KS&EW. He added that it is a historic occasion as the Ministry of Defence Production, Pakistan Navy, Karachi Shipyard and M/s ASFAT of Turkey have joined hands for the construction of this Corvette. The Admiral in his address said that today’s event is a defining moment to further cement the bond of friendship between the two strategically aligned nations with common shared values, culture and principles. The naval Chief acknowledged the commitment and dedication of KS&EW and M/s ASFAT for meeting the challenging construction schedule despite the ongoing global pandemic.
The induction of MILGEM Corvettes will significantly enhance the maritime defence and deterrence capabilities of the Pakistan Navy. These corvettes will become a core element of PN’s kinetic response to traditional and non-traditional challenges and maintain the balance of power in the Indian Ocean Region.
Keel laying ceremony of the second MILGEM Class Corvette being constructed for the Pakistan Navy was held at the end of April 2021 at Istanbul Naval Shipyard.
MILGEM-Class corvette:
MILGEM project is a national warship program of Turkey. Managed by the Turkish Navy, the project aims at developing multipurpose corvettes and frigates that can be deployed in a range of missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, early warning, anti-submarine warfare, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air warfare, and amphibious operations.
The contract for four MILGEM class corvettes for Pakistan Navy with concurrent Transfer of Technology (ToT) was signed with ASFAT Inc, a Turkish state-owned Defence contractor, in 2018. The ToT entails constructing two corvettes at Istanbul Naval Shipyard while another two at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW).
MILGEM vessels are 99 meters long with a displacement capacity of 2,400 tons and can sail up to 29 knots. Corvettes are medium-sized boats bigger than ordinary patrol boats and smaller than warships but can be used for any military purpose. It has the capabilities to be used in any warfare missions.
The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art weapons & modern sensors, including surface to surface, surface to air missiles, anti-submarine weapons and Command & Control system. Induction of this ship in the Pakistan Navy would significantly add to the lethality of the Pakistan Navy’s capabilities and contribute to maintaining peace, security and balance of power in the Indian Ocean Region. These Ships are being constructed as per modern Naval Ship class standards with stealth features.
Other specifications:
- Beam: 14.4m
- Draft: 3.9m
- Propulsion: CODAG (Turkey); CODAD (Pakistan)
- Speed: 15 to 30 knots
- Range: 3500 nautical miles (Turkey)
- Crew: 93
- Weapons: 1x gun 76 mm OtoMelara; 2x 12,7mm STAMP; 8 × Atmaca; 21 × RAM Block; 2 × 324 mm Mk.32 triple launchers for Mk.46 torpedoes (Turkey)
Check out Naval Library App to find out the specifications of the Milgem-class corvettes.
