During January 24-28, 2022, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff – Projects(DCNS [Projects]) Pakistan Navy Vice Admiral (VADM) Imran AHMED paid anofficial visit to Istanbul Naval Shipyard (INSY) to review the progress ofPN-MILGEM Corvettes being constructed by Turkey for the Pakistan Navy (PN).
Thanks to special permission from NHQ, within the scope of this officialvisit, as of DEFENCE TURKEY Magazine, we made an exclusive interview withVADM Imran AHMED on January 24, 2022, to get first-hand information on(DCNS [Projects]) of PN, the major procurement and modernization programsof PN at Istanbul Shipyard Command.
Emphasizing the Pakistan Navy’s goal to be a combat-ready multi-dimensionalforce that safeguards Pakistan’s maritime interests and radiating influencein the region with a global outlook, VADM Imran AHMED underlined that thePN hinges upon the construction and acquisition of modern and potentsurface and subsurface combatants as well as contemporary advancements inthe Air domain. “The PN is building and acquiring Type 054A/P Frigates, 4 xMILGEM Class Corvettes, 4 x OPVs, Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE)Class CH-4 attack drones, Jet LRMPAs, a modern Helicopter Fleet, AttackSubmarines, acquisition of new Shallow Water Attack Submarines (S/Ms),while giving focused attention to the existing fleet.”
*VADM Imran AHMED: “ Our expectation of PN-MILGEM goes much beyond the 4warships being built. The project also includes Transfer of Technology,upgrade of Karachi Shipyard, and designing a purpose-built JINNAH ClassFrigate (JCF) for the Pakistan Navy.*
VADM Imran AHMED gave information about the Pakistan Navy’s expectationsfrom the PN-MILGEM Project and shared his personal assessment of theTurkish Naval Sector companies’ existing capabilities in meeting thePakistan Navy’s modernization requirements. “With regards to PN-MILGEM,with the induction of a modern, well-equipped, and state-of-the-art BABURClass Corvettes in the PN Fleet, Pakistan will acquire the best capabilityto respond to future challenges and maintain peace & stability, and thebalance of power in the Indian Ocean Region. The PN-MILGEM Project is atestimony of the Pakistan Navy’s trust in the ever-growing Turkish NavalShipbuilding industry. Our expectation of PN-MILGEM goes much beyond the 4warships being built. The project also includes Transfer of Technology,upgrade of Karachi Shipyard, and designing a purpose-built JINNAH ClassFrigate (JCF) for the Pakistan Navy.
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As an offset of the PN-MILGEM Project, the collaborative design of theJINNAH Class Frigate (JCF) is being undertaken by PN and Turkish Naval shipdesigners. The first three phases of the project have been successfullycompleted, while the Functional Design Phase is in progress. The projectwill be completed by 2025.”
*VADM Imran AHMED: “If the Turkish aeronautical setup has any such proposalto develop a joint ASW/ Surveillance aircraft, the PN would certainlyconsider it.”*
Speaking on the possibility of joint naval industry programs with Turkey,VADM Imran AHMED stated that developing an airborne ASW/Surveillanceplatform is a plausible proposition. “The Joint Naval Industry Program fordeveloping an airborne ASW/ Surveillance platform is a plausibleproposition. However, as of now, steps in this regard have not beeninitiated due to the requirement of an elaborated aeronautical setup.Notwithstanding the aforesaid, if the Turkish aeronautical setup has anysuch proposal to develop a joint ASW/ Surveillance aircraft, the PN wouldcertainly consider it.”
