Pakistan Navy to Induct PNS Babar and PNS Hunain on Defence Day

The Pakistan Navy is set to formally induct two warships, PNS Babar and PNS Hunain, into its fleet on Defence Day, as announced by the military’s media wing, ISPR, on Tuesday. This significant event will be marked by the presence of President Asif Ali Zardari, who is expected to be the chief guest.

PNS Babar, the first ship of the Milgem/Babar class constructed in Turkiye, will officially become part of the Pakistan Navy fleet. Simultaneously, PNS Hunain, the third offshore patrol vessel (OPV) built in Romania, will also be inducted into service.

According to the ISPR, under the Pak-Turkiye agreement, a total of four Milgem-class ships are being constructed, with two ships being built in Istanbul and the other two in Karachi. The remaining three Babar-class ships—PNS Badr, PNS Tariq, and PNS Khyber—are currently at various stages of construction.

The Babar-class ships are designed for multi-dimensional warfare, capable of engaging in operations above the surface, underwater, and in the air.

Regarding PNS Hunain, the ISPR highlighted that it is the third Yarmouk-class OPV 2600 for the Pakistan Navy, built at the Galati Shipyard in Romania. The last two ships in this class have a displacement of 2,600 tons, making them more robust compared to the first two Yarmouk-class vessels.

This dual induction marks a significant enhancement of the Pakistan Navy’s operational capabilities, reflecting ongoing efforts to modernize the fleet and strengthen maritime defense.