KARACHI: The Pakistan Navy on Tuesday commissioned a new naval base, PNS Hameed, which besides providing maritime broadcast services for PN units operating at sea is also fully equipped with first of its kind Very Low Frequency (VLF) transmission facility.

The commissioning ceremony was held near Karachi in the coastal region of Sindh.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Rashad Mahmood was the chief guest on the occasion with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammed Zakaullah was also present.

The secure military communication link in the VLF spectrum will add new dimensions by enhancing the flexibility and reach of submarine operations.

The submarines when on surface are capable to transmit and receive broadcast messages. However, once submerged, they can only receive wireless messages on VLF. The unit has been named after Lt Cdr Pervaiz Hameed Shaheed, the executive officer of Ex-Ghazi Submarine.

While speaking on the occasion the chief guest, the CJCSC lauded the concerted efforts of those involved and highlighted that with the commissioning of PNS Hameed, significant operational capability had been added to the PN, which would further augment the seaward defence of the country. He further added that the commissioning was yet another milestone in PN’s commitment towards ensuring the defence of the maritime frontiers of Pakistan.

The Chief of the Naval Staff while appreciating the efforts of all those who had been associated with the project, said that the commissioning of PNS Hameed in the coastal region of Sindh was a significant breakthrough towards enhancing PN’s operational capability.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of PN, military and local civil dignitaries.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2016