Istanbul (TDI): The commissioning ceremony of the Pakistan Navy’s second MILGEM-class ship, PNS Khaibar, was held at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard in Türkiye, marking another milestone in Pakistan-Türkiye defense cooperation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the event as the chief guest, while Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf was also present on the occasion.
Addressing the ceremony, President Erdogan described the Pakistan-Türkiye relationship as a model of brotherly ties, rooted in shared history and mutual trust.
He underscored the importance of further strengthening collaboration in defense production and technology, expressing confidence that bilateral cooperation would continue to expand in the coming years.
In his remarks, Admiral Naveed Ashraf acknowledged the dedication and professionalism of ASFAT, the Istanbul Naval Shipyard, and the original equipment manufacturers involved in the planning, design, and construction of the MILGEM ships.
The naval chief praised the growing defense partnership between Pakistan and Türkiye, noting that close engagement between the two navies reflects the depth and durability of bilateral relations.
He added that regular interactions between the Pakistan Navy and the Turkish Naval Forces have significantly contributed to strengthening defense cooperation and enhancing maritime security collaboration between the two countries.
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Following the commissioning ceremony, President Erdogan visited PNS Khaibar, where he was presented a guard of honour and met members of the ship’s crew. During the visit, President Erdogan and Admiral Naveed Ashraf exchanged views on regional maritime security and explored opportunities for future joint initiatives between the Pakistan Navy and the Turkish Naval Forces.
The MILGEM-class ships represent the most advanced surface combatants in the Pakistan Navy’s fleet, featuring state-of-the-art command and control systems, modern weaponry, and advanced sensors designed to enhance operational effectiveness.
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The contract for the construction of four MILGEM-class ships was signed in 2018 between Pakistan’s Ministry of Defense Production and Türkiye’s ASFAT. Under the agreement, two vessels were built in Türkiye while the remaining two are being constructed in Pakistan. The commissioning of PNS Khaibar marks the completion of all MILGEM ships constructed in Türkiye.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
