title:Pakistan Navy Joins DIMDEX 2026 with Key Warships in Qatar
ISLAMABAD: As the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition andConference (DIMDEX 2026) approaches, anticipation builds around PakistanNavy’s prominent participation in this major regional event. Scheduled from19 to 22 January 2026 at the Qatar National Convention Centre, the ninthedition promises to draw global naval leaders, industry experts, anddefence officials. The Pakistan Navy’s decision to deploy the Type 054A/P(Tughril) class frigate PNS Tippu Sultan (FFG-263) and the leadHingol-class Maritime Patrol Vessel PMSS Hingol (1070) underscores itscommitment to regional maritime security collaboration. This move raisesquestions about how these platforms will highlight Pakistan’s growing navalcapabilities amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Arabian Sea andbeyond.
DIMDEX has established itself as one of the Middle East’s premier maritimedefence forums since its inception. Organised and hosted by the Qatar ArmedForces under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani,the Amir of the State of Qatar, the event emphasises innovation, strategicpartnerships, and addressing contemporary security challenges. The four-dayformat includes an expansive exhibition, the Middle East Naval CommandersConference, VIP delegations, and a display of visiting warships at HamadPort. Previous editions have attracted thousands of professionals,facilitated billions in deals, and featured warships from multiple nations,fostering dialogue on multidomain defence integration, cybersecurity, andprecision systems.
The Type 054A/P frigate represents a cornerstone of Pakistan Navy’smodernisation efforts. Ordered from China in 2017-2018, these multi-missionvessels, built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard, displace around 4,000 tons witha length of 134 metres. They incorporate stealth features, reduced radarcross-section, and versatile capabilities in anti-surface, anti-air, andanti-submarine warfare. PNS Tippu Sultan, the third ship in the class, wascommissioned in May 2023 alongside its sister ship. Equipped with advancedsensors, vertical launch systems for medium-range surface-to-air missiles,and helicopter facilities, these frigates enhance Pakistan’s blue-wateroperations and deterrence posture in contested maritime environments.
PNS Tippu Sultan’s deployment to DIMDEX 2026 offers a rare opportunity forinternational audiences to witness this advanced platform firsthand. Thefrigate’s participation aligns with Pakistan Navy’s history of engaging insuch exhibitions, where it has previously showcased assets like frigates,missile boats, and even submarines. Such displays not only demonstratetechnological prowess but also signal deepening defence ties with partnerslike China, whose Type 054A design forms the backbone of the People’sLiberation Army Navy fleet. Observers anticipate that the ship’s presencewill spark discussions on export successes and collaborative navaldevelopments in the region.
Complementing the frigate is PMSS Hingol (1070), the lead vessel of theHingol-class Maritime Patrol Vessels operated by the Pakistan MaritimeSecurity Agency. These 600-ton vessels, developed through Sino-Pakistanicooperation, were commissioned in December 2016 following construction inChina. Designed for exclusive economic zone patrols, law enforcement, andasymmetric threat response, they feature modern navigation systems,communication suites, and armaments including stabilised guns. Theinclusion of PMSS Hingol highlights Pakistan’s focus on layered maritimesecurity, combining high-end combatants with dedicated patrol assets tosafeguard vital sea lanes and economic interests.
The Hingol-class vessels emerged from a 2014 programme involving technologytransfer to Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works. This initiativestrengthened local shipbuilding capacity while addressing gaps in offshoresurveillance. PMSS Hingol’s participation in DIMDEX 2026 will emphasisePakistan’s balanced fleet development, blending imported advanced frigateswith indigenously supported patrol craft. Such a combination reflectsstrategic priorities in countering piracy, illegal fishing, and othernon-traditional threats in the Indian Ocean region.
Read Top Stories
Pakistan Navy’s involvement in DIMDEX builds on a track record ofmeaningful contributions to similar forums. In past editions, Pakistaniassets have drawn attention for their operational readiness andinteroperability potential. The 2026 event, with its expanded scope andfocus on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence in maritimedefence, provides an ideal stage for showcasing these warships. Analystssuggest this participation could pave the way for new agreements, knowledgeexchanges, and enhanced bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Qatar.
As DIMDEX 2026 unfolds, the spotlight on PNS Tippu Sultan and PMSS Hingolwill likely underscore Pakistan’s evolving role in global maritime securityarchitecture. With regional tensions and the need for collective responsesto shared challenges, such engagements reinforce the importance of dialogueand demonstration of capabilities. The event’s success in facilitatingpartnerships will be closely watched, as nations seek to invest inpossibilities that shape a more secure maritime future.
Source:https://dimdex.com/
ogimageimage-name