Pakistan, Turkiye launches 4th PN MILGEM Corvette, PNS Tariq

Pakistan and Turkiye jointly launched e fourth MILGEM Class Corvette-PNS Tariq, at Karachi Shipyard which was initiated in 2018.

According to the media reports, the e fourth MILGEM Class Corvette-PNS Tariq was launched by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad, and Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz. The MILGEM project envisages the construction of four Corvettes for the Pakistan Navy including two in Pakistan and two in Turkiye.

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The Pakistan Navy said that PN MILGEM Class ships are the most technologically advanced surface platforms being constructed. They said that the ships will be fitted with the latest Command & Control Systems including modern weapons and sensors. The construction contract of 04 MILGEM class ships for Pakistan was signed between the Ministry of Defence Production, Pakistan, and M/s ASFAT (Turkish Firm) in 2018. Two ships are constructed at Istanbul Naval Shipyard under the project, while the other two are constructed at KS&EW, Karachi.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Shehbaz Sharif admired the collaboration of the Ministry of Defense Production, Ministry of National Defense of Turkiye, M/s ASFAT, KS&EW, and Pakistan Navy for synergized efforts to make the project a success and congratulated them on the successful launch of the ship. He said that the relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye is unique because of the deep-rooted historical ties between the two brotherly countries and such defense cooperation shall continue in the future as well.

It is pertinent to mention here that Shehbaz Sharif earlier attended the launching ceremony of the third Naval Corvette, PNS Khyber, in Istanbul, in November last year. The first two Corvettes, PNS Babur and PNS Badar were launched in Istanbul and Karachi, in August 2021 and May 2022 respectively. This project represents an enduring symbol of Pakistan-Turkiye collaboration in the maritime domain.