Turkey reaffirms support on Kashmir issue

Published October 26, 2020
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar performs the keel-laying of Milgem Class Corvettes being built at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works for Pakistan Navy on Sunday.—APP
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar performs the keel-laying of Milgem Class Corvettes being built at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works for Pakistan Navy on Sunday.—APP

KARACHI: The keel-laying ceremony of the second Milgem Class Corvette for Pakistan Navy was held at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) on Sunday.

The Milgem Class Corvettes are to be the most technologically-advanced stealth surface platforms of the Pakistan Navy fleet. The vessel is equipped with state of the art weapons and modern sensors, including surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine weapons and command and control system.

The induction of these ships into Pakistan Navy would significantly add to the lethality of the navy’s capabilities and contribute to maintaining peace, security and balance of power in the Indian Ocean region.

The ceremony was attended by Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi. The Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Turkey, Hulusi Akar, graced the occasion as the chief guest.

Hulusi Akar, Zubaida Jalal attend keel-laying ceremony of Milgem Corvette for Pakistan Navy

While addressing the ceremony, the chief guest termed keel-laying of PN Milgem Corvette as a historic event for the Ministry of Defence Production, Pakistan Navy, KS&EW and M/s Asfat of Turkey. He appreciated the commitment and dedication of the Turkish state-owned Defence Firm M/s Asfat and KS&EW for the construction of the technologically-advanced corvette. The chief guest also said that Turkey stood in solidarity with Pakistan’s principled stance over the Kashmir issue and Azerbaijan conflict.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal also appreciated the performance of Karachi Shipyard and underlined that indigenisation is at the forefront of Pakistan’s policy. She said that it was heartening to see a state-of-the-art warship being built in Pakistan.

Earlier, KS&EW MD Rear Admiral Ather Saleem welcomed the distinguished guests and highlighted that Karachi Shipyard is fully cognisant and aligned with the goals set forth by the government and Pakistan Navy to pursue self-reliance in Defence Shipbuilding Industry. He emphasised that deep-rooted friendship with brotherly country Turkey for this mega project would open new vistas of further cooperation in the field of indigenous warship construction and other defence initiatives in Pakistan.

The construction of corvettes in Pakistan is aimed to provide impetus to local ship-building industry and to further enhance KS&EW capabilities. These ships are being constructed as per modern Naval Ship class standards with stealth features. The 2nd Milgem Class Corvette will be delivered in first half of 2024.

The ceremony was also attended by representatives of M/s Asfat Turkey, Istanbul Naval Shipyard and officials from the government of Pakistan, Pakistan Navy and KS&EW.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.