RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) — Pakistan Navy marked a major milestone with the commissioning of the second PNS Khyber at Istanbul Naval Shipyard in Turkey, in a ceremony attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf.
President Erdoğan praised the “exemplary brotherly ties” between Pakistan and Turkey, emphasizing the need to strengthen cooperation in the defense sector.
Admiral Naveed Ashraf lauded the collaboration in ship planning, design, and construction, highlighting the depth of the defense partnership between the two countries.
He noted that the relationship between Pakistan Navy and Turkish Naval Forces reflects strong bilateral trust and strategic cooperation.
Following the ceremony, President Erdoğan toured the ship, received a guard of honor, and met with the crew. Discussions included regional maritime security and future joint projects between Pakistan and Turkey’s naval forces.
The PNS Khyber (Malgin-class) is equipped with advanced technical capabilities and a modern command and control system. Under a four-ship agreement between Pakistan and Turkey, two ships are being built in Turkey and two in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the Pakistan Navy, defense experts, and partners on the commissioning, stating that PNS Khyber will further strengthen Pakistan’s maritime defense and underscores the long-standing trust and brotherly relations between the two nations.
He added that enhancing naval power and capability is crucial for safeguarding Pakistan’s economy, trade routes, and maritime interests.