Turkish president says warships will boost Pakistan Navy’s operational and maritime security capabilities
The second Pakistan Navy MILGEM-class ship, PNS Khaibar, was commissioned at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard on Sunday, marking another milestone in Pakistan–Turkey defence cooperation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who attended the ceremony as chief guest alongside Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, described Pakistan–Turkey relations as exemplary and emphasised the need for deeper collaboration in defence production.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Admiral Ashraf acknowledged the role of ASFAT, the Istanbul Naval Shipyard and the original equipment manufacturers in the planning, design and construction of the MILGEM-class ships.
He said sustained engagements between the Pakistan Navy and the Turkish Naval Forces have strengthened defence collaboration and reflect the enduring strategic partnership between the two countries.
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Once the ceremony concluded, the Turkish president visited the ship, where he was presented a guard of honour and interacted with the crew. During the visit, Erdoğan and Admiral Ashraf exchanged views on maritime security in the region and discussed avenues for future joint initiatives between the two navies.
The MILGEM-class ships are among the most advanced surface combatants in the Pakistan Navy fleet, featuring modern command and control systems integrated with advanced weapons and sensor suites.
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President Erdoğan said the first vessel under the programme, PNS Babar, was handed over to Pakistan on May 24, 2024. The third ship, PNS Badr, is scheduled for delivery by the end of June 2026, while the fourth vessel, PNS Tariq, is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2027.
He said the induction of the MILGEM-class ships would significantly enhance the Pakistan Navy’s operational and maritime security capabilities.
The contract for the construction of four MILGEM-class ships for Pakistan was signed in 2018 between the Ministry of Defence Production and Turkey’s ASFAT.
Under the agreement, two ships were constructed in Turkey while the remaining two are being built in Pakistan. ISPR said the commissioning of PNS Khaibar marks the completion of both vessels planned for construction in Turkey.
