Pakistan Navy inducts first squadron of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) UQAB-II

July 20th, 2011: In pursuit of policy of self reliance and indigenization being undertaken by Pakistan Navy, the first squadron of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has been formally inducted in Pakistan Navy Fleet during a ceremony held at PN Aviation Base, Mehran. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir, was the chief guest on the occasion.

The indigenously developed UAVs are equipped with state of the art equipment and sensors and can successfully be employed in support of Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIO) in the coastal areas. The induction of UAVs in Pakistan Navy will enhance the operational capabilities of PN.


The Chief of the Naval Staff while addressing the audience, congratulated all those who were involved in the UQAB-II programme and expressed satisfaction on induction of UAVs.

He said that prevailing maritime environment poses multifarious challenges to navies across the globe. In addition to traditional roles, navies are now increasingly confronted with emerging challenge of deterring maritime terrorism. Owing to their small size, ease of operation and maintenance versatility in employment and low risk of loss, UAVs today are regarded as force multipliers and are increasingly being used by combat forces worldwide.

The Chief of the Naval Staff reiterated that UAVs induction is a manifestation of PN's commitment and resolve towards self reliance and indigenization. Cognizant of the heightened surveillance measures at all times, the induction of UQAB-II UAVs will provide essential experience to Pakistan Navy and necessary impetus to utilize this particular segment of warfare to the best use of naval objectives.

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Two STUS, frigate Alamgir join PN fleet

July 19th, 2011: PN Ships MADADGAR and RASA-DGAR; the small Tanker Cum Utility Ships (STUS) have been commissioned and PNS ALAMGIR formally inducted in Pakistan Navy Fleet during an impressive ceremony held at Pakistan Navy Dockyard on 19 Jul 11. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir graced the occasion as chief guest. The ceremony was attended by officials from Ministry of Defence (MoD), Flag Officers from Pakistan Navy, senior management of Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) and other distinguished guests.

PN Ships RASADGAR and MADADGAR; the first ships of their class, have been indigenously constructed in Pakistan by Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works. Induction of STUS will increase logistic redundancy to Pakistan Navy Fleet. These state of the art crafts are designed and equipped for multi facet roles with robust and reliable modern machinery and equipment.

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KSEW starts constructing Fast Attack Craft (Missile) for Pakistan Navy

July 12th, 2011: The steel cutting ceremony of the Fast Attack Craft (Missile) FAC (M) for Pakistan Navy was held at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) on Tuesday. The Secretary of Defence Production, Lt. Gen. (Retd) Shahid Iqbal, was the chief guest at the ceremony and performed the steel plate cutting ceremony.

The FAC would be constructed at the KSEW with the technical assistance from China. Speaking on the occasion, Gen (Retd) Shahid Iqbal felicitated the KSEW in general and the ship building team in particular for achieving the first milestone smoothly. He said that it was a matter of satisfaction that assistance is being provided by the time tested friend China on whose support Pakistan has always relied in many strategic areas.

The Secretary Defence Production was sure that KSEW, Pakistan Navy and the Chinese will work hand in hand in future endeavours also with the same spirit and cooperation and deliver the FAC as per the schedule. He stated that KSEW is an important commercial component of the ministry of Defence Production and ‘with every event like the one today we feel event more confident that Karachi Shipyard will address all the requirements of not only for the Pakistan Navy, rather other public organizations like in the maritime sector like MSA, KPT, PNSC and Gwadar Port etc and also earn valuable foreign exchange’.

Gen. (Retd) Shahid Iqbal assured that the Ministry of Defence Production will support KSEW management in all its plans for modernization and expansion. “Together we will ensure that Pakistan becomes a leading ship building country in the region in line with its potential and ideal strategic location,” he maintained. In his welcome address, Managing Director of KSEW, Commodore Sajid Wazir, said KSEW was taking this project as a challenge and an opportunity to change the perception of the institution and establish that the Shipyard was fully capable, ready and committed to undertake challenging tasks while ensuring the highest standards of quality.

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PNS Alamgir F-260 (USS McINERNEY - FFG-8) sets sail for Pakistan

March 22nd, 2011: The first Oliver Hazard Perry (OHP) Class frigate, acquired by Pakistan Navy from United States, set sail for Pakistan on Monday.The ship, formerly USS McINERNEY (FFG-8)), was commissioned in the Pakistan Navy as PNS ALAMGIR (F-260) on August, 31, 2010 in an impressive ceremony at Naval Station Mayport, where Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani was the chief guest.After commissioning, PNS ALAMGIR has undergone extensive modernization and refurbishment at BAE, System Shipyard at Jacksonville Florida. A total of 18 Officers and 218 CPO/ Sailors, who started arriving the US in February 2010,underwent In-house School Training at various schools.

The Ship Transfer and Assistance Team (STAT) had a major contribution in training of the crew at Naval Station, Mayport. PN crew stay in the US contributed towards greater understanding on issues of mutual concern besides strengthening relations between the two countries. Captain Naveed Ashraf T.Bt TI(M) is the first Commanding Officer of PNS ALAMGIR.

Upon completion of successful sea trials and crew workup, the ship set sail for Pakistan on Monday. During her voyage, it will be making port calls in Bermuda (UK), Azores (Portugal), Cadiz (Spain), Golcuk (Turkey), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Salalah (Oman) and would eventually reach Pakistan on 13 May 2011.

PNS ALAMGIR will form part of the 18th Frigate Squadron of Pakistan Navy Fleet.Pakistan is an important member of Global War On Terror (GWOT).In consonance with Pakistani government’s decision to fight terrorism in all its manifestations, Pakistan Navy joined the US-led maritime coalition against terrorism by participating in Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan (CMCP), which is the maritime component of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). It encompasses maritime operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Coalition forces work under overall command of United States Naval Forces Central Command (US NAVCENT) which is the Naval component of US CENTCOM. Its area of responsibility includes the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.

It consists of the US Fifth Fleet and several other subordinate task forces, including Combined Task Forces 150 and 151.These task forces have been assigned different mission and areas of responsibilities for conducting maritime operations in support of CMCP.

Despite resource constraints, Pakistan Navy has been a front-line participant in the CMCP. Pakistan Navy was the first regional navy to form part of CMCP and has significantly contributed its assets to ensuring peace and stability in the region. Since April 2004, Pakistan Navy has contributed one frigate in TF-150 regularly. In addition, the PN also contributes a Type-21 frigate (with embarked helicopter) in TF-151 for counter-piracy operations.

Pakistan Navy has commanded TF-150 four times and is currently commanding the CTF-151 off the coast of Somalia. Pakistan was the first non-NATO country to command the Task Force.

Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigates are being operated by many navies in the world. These ships are most suited for conducting Maritime Security Operations, which have become the prime concern of the nations.

PNS ALAMGIR will augment Maritime Security Operations in the Arabian and the adjoining seas. It will also provide strength to the Pakistan Navy Surface Fleet.

PNS ALAMGIR is named after emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir (1618-1707), who was the sixth Muslim ruler of Great Mughal Empire. Alamgir was an able warrior, who fiercely protected his territories and retained the throne for almost 50 years. He spread the extent of Mughal Empire to the entire Indian Sub-continent and is generally considered to be the last successful Mughal emperor.

PNS ALAMGIR is the third ship to bear this name. The first one was Cr Class Destroyer which was decommissioned in 1982 after remaining in service for about 24 years. The second was Gearing Class Destroyer and remained in service from 1982-1988.

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