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Offshore Patrol Vessel PNS Yarmook at Heart of Pakistan’s Naval Strategy at IDEX 2025.
The Pakistan Navy’s offshore patrol vessel PNS Yarmook is being showcased at IDEX 2025, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Its participation highlights Pakistan’s maritime capabilities and commitment to military cooperation and maritime security at an international level. Arriving at the NAVDEX marina on the eve of the exhibition’s official opening, the vessel welcomes visitors and military delegations, providing a detailed presentation of its equipment, operational roles, and strategic significance for the Pakistan Navy.
Ordered in June 2017 by Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence under an agreement with the Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards, the vessel was commissioned in February 2020 (Picture source: Army Recognition )
PNS Yarmook belongs to the Yarmook-class offshore patrol vessels, designed for a wide range of naval missions, including territorial waters surveillance, securing maritime trade routes, countering piracy and illicit trafficking, as well as search and rescue operations. It can also be deployed for power projection and joint naval exercises with international partners. Ordered in June 2017 by Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence under an agreement with the Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards, the vessel was commissioned in February 2020. Its sister ship, PNS Tabuk, followed in November of the same year, joining Pakistan’s naval fleet.
From a technical perspective, PNS Yarmook measures 91.3 meters in length, with a beam of 14.4 meters and a draft of 4 meters, allowing it to operate effectively both in deep waters and coastal environments. It is equipped with a CODAD (Combined Diesel and Diesel) propulsion system, powered by four Caterpillar 3516 diesel engines, enabling a maximum speed of 23 knots. Its range is estimated at 6,000 nautical miles, with an endurance of 40 days without resupply. The vessel typically operates with a crew of around 60 personnel, but its modular design allows for additional personnel depending on mission requirements.
PNS Yarmook’s weapons systems provide both offensive and defensive capabilities. It is armed with a remotely operated Aselsan SMASH 30 mm cannon, supported by two Aselsan STAMP 12.7 mm remote weapon stations, enhancing its ability to counter asymmetric threats. A key feature of its armament is the integration of Harbah anti-ship missiles, developed domestically in Pakistan. These missiles, installed in a 4×2 configuration, offer an operational range of 280 kilometers, allowing the vessel to engage both naval and land-based targets. For close-range defense, PNS Yarmook is equipped with a Phalanx Block 1B Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), designed to intercept incoming aerial threats and missile attacks.
PNS Yarmook is also designed to support aerial and amphibious operations. It can accommodate a helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), extending its surveillance and operational reach. Its aft deck can carry two rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), measuring 11.5 meters and 6.5 meters, which are used for boarding operations and search-and-rescue missions. Additionally, its modular design allows for the integration of 20-foot mission containers, making it adaptable to a variety of operational roles.
Before arriving at IDEX 2025, PNS Yarmook participated in the multinational naval exercise AMAN 2025, an event organized by the Pakistan Navy that brought together approximately 60 countries, including the United States, China, Russia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. This participation reflects Pakistan’s engagement in maritime cooperation initiatives and its efforts to develop interoperable capabilities with other navies. At NAVDEX 2025, the vessel hosts official delegations, defense industry representatives, and naval command officials, highlighting Pakistan’s modern fleet capabilities and ongoing naval modernization efforts.
Built by Damen Shipyards, a European company specializing in naval and civilian shipbuilding, PNS Yarmook aligns with Pakistan’s broader strategy to strengthen its maritime security and operational flexibility. With its advanced equipment, adaptable design, and evolving armament, it represents the increasing role of offshore patrol vessels as an intermediate solution between heavy frigates and light corvettes. These vessels are gaining interest among navies seeking to optimize surveillance and maritime security operations while maintaining cost-effective fleet management. The growing deployment of OPVs across multiple navies highlights an ongoing shift in naval strategy, emphasizing the protection of exclusive economic zones and the safeguarding of maritime corridors against emerging security threats.