Pakistan Navy inducts PNS Babur and PNS Hunain in fleet expansion ceremony.

According to information published by the Pakistani MoD on September 7, 2024, n a ceremonial event held at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi, the Pakistan Navy officially inducted two vessels into its fleet: the MILGEM-class Corvette PNS Babur and the Offshore Patrol Vessel PNS Hunain.
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Yarmook-class offshore patrol vessel PNS Hunain. (Picture source: Pakistani MoD)

PNS Babur, a multipurpose corvette, was built at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard and commissioned on September 23, 2023. Meanwhile, PNS Hunain, an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), was constructed at DAMEN Shipyard in Romania and entered service on July 25, 2024.

The ceremony concluded with the formal handover of the ships' scrolls to the Commander of the Pakistan Fleet, marking the official integration of PNS Babur and PNS Hunain into the fleet.

In his address, the Chief of Naval Staff extended his gratitude to the government for its support and acknowledged the collaboration between the Turkish ASFAT group, Istanbul Shipyard, DAMEN Shipyard Galati in Romania, and the project teams.

The future of the Pakistan Navy

A central component of this is the Hangor-class submarine program, under which eight submarines are being built in collaboration with China. These vessels, featuring Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, are designed for extended underwater operations, and will significantly boost the navy's capabilities when fully deployed by 2028. Four submarines will be built in China, and four more in Pakistan.

In parallel, Pakistan is upgrading its surface fleet, having already inducted Type 054-A/P frigates from China. Additionally, the Navy is investing in new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and fast attack craft equipped with cruise missiles, some of which are being constructed domestically.

In terms of naval aviation, the Pakistan Navy is replacing its aging P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft with converted commercial jets. These aircraft are being retrofitted for long-range maritime patrol and surveillance roles. The introduction of unmanned technologies is also a priority, with plans for acquiring Chinese-made CH-4 drones.

The Navy is also focusing on developing indigenous capabilities, such as through the creation of the Naval Research and Development Institute. This body is tasked with projects like the Jinnah-class frigate, directed-energy weapons, and UAV jammers.

These efforts align with Pakistan’s broader ambitions to secure its maritime interests, particularly in the Indian Ocean region, and to counter potential threats from its regional rival, India.