Pakistan Navy Inducts PNS Khaibar, Second MILGEM-Class Corvette

The Pakistan Navy achieved a significant milestone with the commissioning of its second MILGEM-class ship, PNS Khaibar, during an official ceremony held at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard in Turkiye. This prestigious event underscores the deepening defense cooperation between Pakistan and Turkiye, two nations bound by historical ties and shared strategic interests. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan graced the occasion as chief guest, while Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf represented Pakistan, highlighting the importance both nations attach to this collaborative defense project. The commissioning ceremony reflected the maturity and strength of bilateral relations, demonstrating how defense partnerships can translate into tangible operational capabilities.

Presidential Remarks Emphasize Brotherly Relations

Addressing the commissioning ceremony, President Erdogan characterized the Pakistan-Turkiye relationship as an exemplary model of brotherly ties, deeply rooted in shared historical experiences and unwavering mutual trust. The Turkish president emphasized the critical importance of further strengthening collaboration in defense production and advanced technology transfer between the two nations. President Erdogan expressed firm confidence that bilateral cooperation would continue expanding in scope and depth throughout the coming years, encompassing not only naval systems but broader defense industrial collaboration. His remarks underscored Turkiye’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s defense modernization efforts while simultaneously advancing Turkish defense exports and technological partnerships in South Asia.

Naval Chief Acknowledges Turkish Professionalism

In his address at the ceremony, Admiral Naveed Ashraf acknowledged the exceptional dedication and professionalism demonstrated by ASFAT, the Istanbul Naval Shipyard, and various original equipment manufacturers involved throughout the planning, design, and construction phases of the MILGEM ships. The naval chief praised the flourishing defense partnership between Pakistan and Turkiye, emphasizing that close engagement between the two navies authentically reflects the depth and durability of bilateral relations. Admiral Ashraf highlighted that regular interactions between the Pakistan Navy and Turkish Naval Forces have significantly contributed to strengthening defense cooperation and enhancing maritime security collaboration. These sustained engagements have facilitated knowledge transfer, joint training exercises, and operational coordination benefiting both naval forces.

Presidential Ship Visit

Following the formal commissioning ceremony, President Erdogan visited PNS Khaibar aboard the newly commissioned vessel, where he received a ceremonial guard of honor and met members of the ship’s crew. During this visit, President Erdogan and Admiral Naveed Ashraf engaged in substantive discussions regarding regional maritime security challenges and explored promising opportunities for future joint initiatives between the Pakistan Navy and Turkish Naval Forces. These high-level consultations reflected mutual recognition of shared maritime interests in maintaining freedom of navigation, combating piracy, and ensuring stability across critical sea lanes. The strategic dialogue between the two leaders demonstrated commitment to translating bilateral goodwill into concrete operational cooperation.

Advanced Combat Capabilities

The MILGEM-class ships represent the most technologically advanced surface combatants currently operational within the Pakistan Navy’s fleet. These sophisticated vessels feature state-of-the-art command and control systems, modern weaponry configurations, and advanced sensor suites specifically designed to enhance operational effectiveness across diverse maritime scenarios. The ships incorporate stealth characteristics, anti-submarine warfare capabilities, and air defense systems, enabling them to perform multi-role missions including surface warfare, underwater threat detection, and force protection operations. This technological sophistication positions the MILGEM-class as formidable assets capable of addressing contemporary maritime security challenges while projecting naval power in regional waters.

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Four-Ship Program Reaches

The contract for constructing four MILGEM-class ships was formally signed in 2018 between Pakistan’s Ministry of Defense Production and Turkiye’s ASFAT, establishing a comprehensive framework for naval cooperation. Under this strategic agreement, two vessels were constructed in Turkiye while the remaining two ships are being built domestically in Pakistan, incorporating technology transfer provisions that enhance Pakistan’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities. The commissioning of PNS Khaibar marks the successful completion of all MILGEM ships constructed in Turkiye, representing full delivery of the Turkish construction component. The domestic construction phase in Pakistan continues, with these vessels expected to further strengthen Pakistan Navy’s surface fleet while simultaneously advancing national defense industrial capacity through hands-on experience in modern warship construction.

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