Ships manufacturing at local level to promote shipbuilding: Pak Navy

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The steel-cutting ceremony of MILGEM-class ship being locally constructed for Pakistan Navy was held at Karachi Shipyard on Tuesday. Shipyard Managing Director Rear Admiral Ather Saleem was the chief guest on the occasion. The contract for four MILGEM class corvettes for Pakistan Navy with concurrent Transfer of Technology (ToT) was signed with ASFAT Inc, a Turkish state owned Defence contractor firm in 2018. The ToT entails construction of two corvettes at Turkey while another two at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW). This steel cutting ceremony is the first MILGEM class corvette being indigenously constructed at Karachi Shipyard in collaboration with Turkish Defence firm. In a statement, Pakistan Navy spokesperson said this ship being constructed with the cooperation of Turkey will be equipped with modern weapons and sensors. He said two of the four MILGEM class ships being manufactured with the cooperation of Turkey will be constructed at Karachi Shipyard. He said the ship will be constructed by February 2024. The spokesperson said manufacturing of ships at local level will promote shipbuilding in the country. Speaking at the occasion, the General Manager Ship building, Commodore Muhammad Jahanzeb Ahasn highlighted that the technical support for the indigenous mega project is provided by ASFAT Inc. He underscored the deep rooted friendship with brotherly country Turkey for joint collaboration in field of indigenous warship construction with Pakistan Navy other defence sectors. The ceremony was attended by officials of Pakistan Navy, dignities and representatives of ASFAT Inc, Turkey.