Galati, 18 September 2023 (TDI): Launching ceremony of state-of-the-art offshore patrol vessel being built for Pakistan Navy. S (PNS) Hunain (Desig) was held at M/s Damen Shipyard Galati, Romania, on September 12.
Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, head of the naval staff, attended the event as the chief guest.
PNS Hunain is one of a group of OPV 2600 Offshore Patrol Vessels Damen is building for the Pakistan Navy.
Following its successful delivery of the first two vessels, PNS Yarmook and PNS Tabuk in 2020, Damen secured the contract to build the vessel.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Naval Staff highlighted the importance of maritime security in view of the current conventional and non-conventional marine threats to trade and energy highways across the Indian Ocean Region.
In this connection, he emphasized the Pakistan Navy’s significant contribution to the state’s achievement in setting up a secure marine environment for trade since 2004.
The Admiral conveyed his assurance that the addition of these multifunctional and highly adaptable platforms, outfitted with cutting-edge weaponry and sensor systems, will further improve the combat capability of the PN Fleet in securing maritime borders and ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region, particularly in the Arabian Sea.
Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi further praised Damen Shipyard’s extraordinary expertise and commitment to assembling a warship from steel in a short amount of time, highlighting the Pakistan Navy’s faith and confidence in M/s Damen.
The Chief Guest, during a speech to commemorate the occasion, credited Damen’s practice of manufacturing vessels in accordance with tested designs for enabling the company to build the vessel in such a short period of time.
Additionally, he emphasized the crucial function the ship would play in ensuring regional stability and marine commerce security in the Indian Ocean.
Marc van Heyningen, Chief Operations Officer at Damen, spoke at the event as well.
He thanked the Admiral for coming and emphasized the long-standing partnership between Damen and the Pakistan Navy.
Also Read: AMAN & PIMEC 2023: Diplomatic Achievements of Pakistan Navy
After the launch, Damen Regional Sales Director Stephan Stout commented, that seeing the vessel in the water for the first time is a wonderful moment for everyone involved in the project.
He also wanted to express Damen’s gratitude to the Pakistan Navy for continuing to rely on them.
Furthermore, he added that he was looking forward to commissioning PNS Hunain, getting the ship ready for safe delivery, and getting it ready for the significant task it will do to secure the Indian Ocean region’s seas.
Other representatives from the Pakistan Navy, as well as those from the Romanian Government and Navy, the Pakistani community in Romania, and Damen were also present.
){kind=link}