Pakistan to buy four corvette ships from Turkey
Turkey said last year it signed a memorandum of understanding for the sale.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - The Ministry of Defence Production has contracted Turkey for purchase of four corvette ships, Pakistan Navy said in a statement on Thursday.
Pakistan Navy has signed a contract for acquisition of 4 x MILGEM Class Ships with M/s ASFAT A.S, Turkey which is a Military Factory and Shipyard Company under the Ministry of National Defence, Turkey at Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP), Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/PnZQJhZe6h
— Pakistan Navy (@PakistanNavyNHQ) July 5, 2018
“The first and second ship will be built at Istanbul Naval Shipyard while two ships will be constructed at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW),” it said.
“A note worthy feature of the contract is that the fourth warship will be designed jointly by Pakistan s Maritime Technologies Complex (MTC) and will be the first indigenously designed & constructed Frigate.
“The construction of third and fourth ship at KS&EW will not only enhance the industrial production confidence and the ships construction potential but also contribute towards national economy, creating new jobs and development of highly skilled human resource of the Karachi Shipyard,” it added.
The navy said the contract is aimed at expanding bilateral ties between Pakistan and Turkey as well as bolstering combat capabilities and contributing towards effective maritime security operations in the region.
“MILGEM Class Ship is a capable and extremely potent platform, favorably comparable with any contemporary warship of modern navies.
“The ship is equipped with modern stealth features, and state-of-the-art fifth generation weapons and sensors including indigenously developed missile system, hence configured to undertake multifaceted operations in all domains of naval warfare,” it added.
Turkey said last year it signed a memorandum of understanding for the sale, and Defence Minister Canikli said the tender was now finalised, describing it as Turkey’s biggest single military export deal and “a very important day” for the defence industry.
