First corvette launched for Pakistan Navy by Damen Shipyard.

Recently, the launching ceremony of the first state of the art 2,300 tonnes corvette for the Pakistan Navy was held in Galati, Romania, by Damen Shipyard. Chief of Staff (Personnel), Vice Admiral Abdul Aleem graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

The Dutch Damen Shipyard shipbuilding group has launched the first of two corvettes for the Pakistan Navy (Picture Source: Damen Shipyard)

Corvettes are multi-purpose platforms of medium size and tonnage. Subsequent to the signing of a contract for construction of two corvettes for Pakistan Navy in 2017, the first ship is expected to join Pakistan Navy Fleet by the end of this year and the second is scheduled to be delivered by mid-2020.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest underscored the importance of Corvettes in the maritime domain. He further added that these platforms will act as force multipliers in enhancing Navy’s capability of safeguarding maritime frontiers and would offer more flexibility in the conduct of Pakistan Navy’s initiative of independent Regional Maritime Security Patrols in the Indian Ocean Region. The Chief Guest also lauded the professionalism of Damen Shipyards and cooperation in delivering cutting edge technologies to the Pakistan Navy in the form of Corvettes.