KARACHI, July 12: A steel plate cutting ceremony marked the indigenous construction of Pakistan Navy’s Fast Attack Craft (FAC) missile boats at Karachi Shipyard on Tuesday.

After the delivery of small tankers-cum-utility ships (STUS) — Rasadgar and Madadgar — and launch of F-22P frigate, the FAC missile boats are being built at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works with the help of China. The vessels will be equipped with anti-surface missiles, automatic guns and anti-missile close in weapon system.

Appreciating the efforts of KSEW, Defence Production Secretary Lt Gen Shahid Iqbal, the chief guest, said that the shipyard’s contribution in naval shipbuilding was commendable and its capabilities in future would be fully utilised in construction of more naval platforms.

He said the defence ministry would continue to support the KSEW in all its plans for modernisation and expansion.

He hoped that in line with its potential strategic location, Pakistan would become a leading shipbuilding country in the region.

KSEW Managing Director Commodore Sajid Wazir Khan apprised the audience of the shipbuilding capabilities of the shipyard and said that this project was a challenge and an opportunity to establish the capability of undertaking upcoming tasks while ensuring the highest standards of quality.

He lauded indigenous construction of FAC missile boats and said that this initiative would go a long way towards supporting this important strategic public-sector industry.

Representatives of the Defence ministry, China Shipbuilding & Offshore Company and senior naval officials attended the ceremony.