BEIJING – Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PSMA) commissioned newMulti-Purpose Patrol Vessel (MPV) KASHMIR at the port city of Guangzhou,China. This is the 4th MPV out of 6 ship series as a part of the PSMAup-gradation and capacity development program. Kashmir is the biggestplatform of PSMA.
To commission this MPV, a simple and dedicated ceremony took place atGuangzhou on July 20th. Secretary Defence Lt Gen (Recd) Zamir Ul HassanShah was the chief guest for the ceremony which was also attended byDirector General PMSA Rear Admiral Zaka Ur Rehman, Vice Chairman CSSC,President CSTC, Chairman Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard and other civilian andmilitary dignitaries.
MPV KASHMIR is the first 1500 tons dead weight and 94-meter long vessel,equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and communication and navigationalequipment. The ship is propelled by two advanced diesel engines to achievea maximum speed of 26 Knots and has an endurance of 3500 nautical miles.
The ship is an ideal platform for PMSA, capable of undertaking multifariousmissions such as Surveillance and Policing, Anti-Smuggling, Anti PoachingOperations, Security and Law enforcement and patrolling in Maritime Zones.
Pollution monitoring and control, search and rescue operations whileoperating independently or as part of a task force in a multi-threatenvironment for the extended duration at sea due to the capability ofreplenishment and ship-borne helicopter operations.
Addressing the ceremony, Zamir Ul Hassan Shah congratulated the M/s CSTC,Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard, HQ PMSA and all stakeholders involved in theproject for continuous efforts. He highlighted the historic and time-testedrelationship with China. He emphasized the importance of the project forthe maritime security of our region in general and for the China PakistanEconomic Corridor (CPEC) in particular.
Pakistan Maritime Security Agency is not only safeguarding Pakistan’smaritime security ably but also playing an important role for maritimesecurity in the regional context. PMSS KASHMIR will further add to thecapability of PMSA in contributing to the maritime security.
The chief guest expressed that PMSS KASHMIR, as its name implies, is asymbol of our solidarity with our integral part Kashmir.
Director General PMSA, Rear Admiral Zaka Ur Rehman highlighted theimportance of this project in the context of overall security paradigm ofthe region along with the PMSA’s responsibility to regulate the maritimeaffairs of a vast area covering approximately 295,000 sq km stretching over1000 KM from Sir Creek in the East to Gwadar.