The Pakistani navy inducted a fourth offshore patrol ship (OPV) named PNS Yamama in its fleet on Monday, describing it as a ship equipped with modern stealth characteristics and sophisticated weapons which allows it to operate in a multi-malent environment.
PNS Yamama was built at the Damen shipyard in Romania. The versatile ship is equipped with modern stealth functionality, the latest command and control systems and sophisticated weapons and sensors, the navy said in a press release.
A ceremony to officially enthron the OPV took place at the Jinnah naval base in the southwest city of Ormara in the presence of representatives of the government, local dignitaries and senior officers of the Pakistani navy.
“As the fourth in the series, the induction of this cutting -edge ship considerably improves the capacity of the Pakistan navy to ensure the defense towards the sea, protect the lines of maritime communication and maintain order at sea,” the statement said.
The development highlights the improved scope of the Pakistan Navy on the West Coast, offering flexibility in its fleet operations, improving maritime security and its ability to contribute to regional peace and stability, he added.
The induction of PNS Yamama would also ensure the protection of vital maritime infrastructure, including the Chinese-Pakistani Economic Corridor (CPEC), a Chinese infrastructure project of several billion dollars which links the city of Pakistan to Gwadar to the Chinese province of Xinjiang.
Admiral of the Pakistani navy Naveed Ashraf highlighted the precarious PK Press Club-strategic environment in the Indian Ocean, stressing the need for a powerful naval force to counter traditional and non-traditional emerging challenges, according to the press release.
“He reiterated that the addition of PNS Yamama to the NPC fleet would considerably improve the capacity of the Pakistan navy to protect the maritime borders of Pakistan and strengthen its commitment to ensuring safety and security in international waters,” he said.
In addition to joining various warships in its fleet, the Pakistani navy has organized several joint exercises with friendly nations in recent years in order to improve joint operational capacities and strengthen regional security.
