KARACHI: The induction ceremony for the state-of-the-art corvette Pakistan Navy Ship Yarmook was held at the PN dockyard here on Monday.

PNS Yarmook is a latest warship with an effective amalgam of weapons and sensors possessing cutting edge self-protection and terminal defence systems constructed at M/s Damen Shipyards, Romania. The ship is capable to perform a variety of naval operations and transport helicopter and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) simultaneously.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, who was also the chief guest, termed the induction event as an important milestone for the Pakistan Navy. He added that PNS Yarmook will significantly act as a force multiplier to safeguard maritime interests of Pakistan.

Warship equipped with latest self-protection, terminal defence systems was built in Romania

The Admiral further underscored that the ship will contribute towards achieving sustained maritime order through Pakistan Navy Regional Maritime Security Patrol (RMSP) initiatives. While highlighting the plight of Kashmiris in Occupied Kashmir, Admiral Abbasi paid tribute to their exemplary struggle for self-determination against Indian oppression. He also paid rich tributes to the medical and paramedical staff of the country in their fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The second such corvette PNS Tabuk is expected to join the Pakistan Navy Fleet towards the end of this year.

Later, the Chief Guest lauded the professional competence of M/s Damen Shipyards and Romania’s cooperation in delivering high quality platforms to Pakistan Navy.

The induction ceremony was also attended by senior naval officers.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2020