Indigenously built Gun Boat PNS Sahiwal joins Pakistan Navy fleet
Listen to article
The Pakistan Navy on Thursday launched the indigenously designed and developed Gun Boat PNS Sahiwal at a ceremony held at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW).
Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami, attended the event as chief guest. The vessel, developed under the Navy's policy of indigenisation and self-reliance, has been designed by the Navy's Platform Design Wing and was under construction at KS&EW.
Launching ceremony of PNS SAHIWAL (Desig) Gun Boat held at @ShipyardKarachi. VCNS V/Adm Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami graced occasion as CG. The Gun Boat is indigenously designed by Platform Design Wing of PN & is under construction at KS&EW. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/N66OicFXFY — DGPR (Navy) (@dgprPaknavy) July 24, 2025
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Admiral Bilgrami praised the collaborative efforts of the Platform Design Wing and KS&EW, describing the project as a significant milestone in Pakistan's indigenous shipbuilding capability.
He also acknowledged the Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) for its continued support in strengthening the country's maritime industrial base.
Highlighting the vessel's capabilities, he noted that the Gun Boat is equipped with high-performance, long-range semi-automatic guns, enabling it to perform a range of maritime security operations with enhanced efficiency.
Photo: X/ Pakistan Navy
The platform is designed for versatility and can operate effectively in both coastal and open-sea environments.
The vice admiral further stated that the Navy is considering the series production of similar vessels to support ongoing modernisation efforts and promote the sustained growth of local shipbuilding infrastructure.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Pakistan Navy, MoDP, KS&EW, and representatives from the shipbuilding industry.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Naval Chief Naveed Ashraf awarded Turkiye's prestigious Legion of Merit
Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf undertook an official visit to Turkiye, during which he was conferred the prestigious Legion of Merit by the Turkish Armed Forces, the Pakistan Navy's spokesperson said on Tuesday. The award was presented by Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu, in recognition of Admiral Naveed Ashraf's efforts to strengthen defence ties and maritime cooperation between the two brotherly countries, Pakistan Navy's director general public relations said. Upon his arrival at the Turkish Naval Forces Headquarters, Admiral Ashraf was presented a guard of honour and subsequently called on the Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu. During the meeting, both dignitaries discussed matters of professional interest, focusing on enhanced collaboration between the two navies. PN conducts drills with Turkish navy The naval chief also called on Turkish Minister of National Defence Yasar Guler, Chief of the General Staff General Metin Gurak, and Commander of Turkish Navy Fleet Admiral Kadir Yildiz. These high-level engagements included discussions on regional maritime security and bilateral defence cooperation. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf (left) in a meeting with Minister of National Defence Türkiye Yasar Guler. Photo: Facebook/@DgprNavy/File Admiral Naveed Ashraf emphasised the need for increased interaction between the armed forces through joint exercises, mutual visits, and training and exchange programmes. Later, the naval chief visited Istanbul Naval Shipyard, where he called on the commander of the shipyard and received a detailed briefing on Pakistan Navy's MILGEM project, a flagship initiative in bilateral defence collaboration. He also visited Golcuk Naval Base, where he observed cutting-edge submarine design and construction facilities. Admiral Ashraf further visited the Turkish naval vessels TCG ORUCREIS and S/M PIRIREIS, as well as the National Defence University in Turkiye. He also called on the Commander of the North Sea Area and laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Turkiye's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, as a mark of respect. The naval chief's visit is expected to play a pivotal role in further strengthening and expanding defence relations between Pakistan and Turkiye, two nations bound by deep-rooted historical, cultural, and strategic ties.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
Philippines, India hold first joint sail in South China Sea
MANILA: The Philippine and Indian navies have sailed together for the first time in the South China Sea, officials said on Monday, as President Ferdinand Marcos left Manila for New Delhi for a state visit. The Philippines has conducted 'maritime cooperative activities' with foreign navies since late 2023 as part of its push to counter China's expansive claims in the waterway, including joint passages with treaty ally the United States, as well as Japan, Australia, France and Canada. An Indian official said the passage was in the West Philippine Sea and part of a bilateral exercise with Manila, where its ships arrived on Friday as part of India's outreach to build partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner said the idea for the two-day joint passage, which started on Sunday and was inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, came about when he met his counterpart in India in March. 'We did not experience any untoward incidents, but there are still those shadowing us - as we had already expected,' Brawner told reporters, without referring directly to China. Pakistan Navy's rescue operation helps injured Indian crew member China's foreign ministry said in a statement that territorial and maritime disputes should be resolved between the countries directly involved and no third party should intervene. Indian Navy ships that took part included guided missile destroyer INS Delhi, tanker INS Shakti and corvette INS Kiltan. The Philippines deployed two frigates, BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Jose Rizal. The exercise coincided with Marcos' departure for a five-day trip to India, where he said he would look to deepen maritime ties and seek cooperation on sectors including defence, pharmaceuticals and agriculture. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, overlapping with maritime zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. The waterway is a strategic shipping route where $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce takes place. A 2016 ruling of an international arbitral tribunal found Beijing's sweeping claims had no basis under international law, a decision China rejected.
Business Recorder
25-07-2025
- Business Recorder
Launching ceremony of PNS Sahiwal Gun Boat held
KARACHI: Launching ceremony of PNS Sahiwal (Desig) Gun Boat was held at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW). Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami graced the occasion as Chief Guest. PNS Sahiwal (Desig) Gun Boat has been indigenously designed by Platform Design Wing (PDW) of Pakistan Navy and is under construction at KS&EW. This state-of-the-art vessel will be equipped with high-performance, long-range semi automatic guns, enhancing its operational effectiveness in maritime missions. Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest appreciated joint efforts of Platform Design Wing (PDW) of Pakistan Navy and KS&EW in furthering Pakistan Navy's policy of indigenization. He extended his gratitude to the Ministry of Defence Production for its continued support to KS&EW. He also highlighted that the Gun Boat will be equipped to perform diverse maritime security tasks. He also stated that Pakistan Navy is considering additional production of Gun Boats. It would eventually boost both indigenization process and uplift of KS&EW. The launching ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials from Pakistan Navy including representatives from MODP, KS&EW and Shipbuilding Industry. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
