KARACHI – Pakistan Navy has launched its indigenously built Fast AttackCraft (Missile) in a ceremony held at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering WorksLimited (KS&EW) here on Wednesday.
Federal Minister for Defence Production Zobaida Jalal was chief guest inthe ceremony which was attended by high ranking officials and dignitariesfrom Ministry of Defence, Pakistan Navy, Army, Air Force, Governmentauthorities, corporate sector and KS&EW.
Addressing the occasion, Federal Minister for Defence Production ZubaidaJalal congratulated Pakistan Navy and Karachi Shipyard for their remarkableachievement towards the National goal of indigenization and self-reliance.
She said that KS&EW is one of the few public sector industries which hasmade remarkable turn-around in the last decade that is from sustaininglosses to a profit bearing entity of Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP).
She said that keeping in view the future economic growth of the country,the Federal Ministry of Defence Production is vigorously pursuingestablishment of new shipyards.
She wished that this Missile Craft will effectively safeguard the sea frontof the country.
Earlier, Managing Director KS&EW Rear Admiral Ather Saleem in his welcomeaddress expressed gratitude to Pakistan Navy and MoDP for their continuedsupport.
He apprised that during recent years KS&EW has completed various projectsmeeting international quality standards.
He also highlighted that infrastructure upgrades and preparatory works forconstruction of Submarines for PN is also at advance stages.
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He assured that KS&EW is committed to complete all these challengingprojects on-time, duly meeting international quality standards.
The indigenously produced Fast Attack Missile Craft is a state-of-the-art,multi-mission vessel with steel hull and aluminum super structure.
It has length of 63 meters with displacement of over 560 tons. The ship ispropelled by four shafts and can attain maximum speed of 30 knots.
The missile craft is equipped with indigenously developed Weapons andSensors that makes it a potent platform of PN.
As a result, the PN has reposed confidence in Karachi Shipyard by awardingcontracts for construction of two MILGEM class Corvettes and two HarbourTugs.
The construction for Tugs has already been initiated, while necessarypreparations for construction of two MILGEM Corvettes is in full swing.
