Navy acquires third Fast Attack Missile Craft

Ceremony also held for laying keel of a 600-ton patrol vessel

KARACHI: The inaugural ceremony of the third Fast Attack Craft (Missile) of Pakistan Navy was held at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) on Saturday.

Terming it a milestone in Sino-Pak defence and strategic cooperation, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah said the ship had been built with Chinese cooperation.

“The attack craft will prove crucial in defending the country’s maritime frontiers,” the navy chief said.

Simultaneously, another ceremony was held for laying the keel of a 600-ton maritime patrol vessel being built for Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA).

Addressing the gathering, Admiral Zakaullah said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would yield economic dividends for the entire region and the Gwadar port would act as its focal point.

“Providing a safe and secure maritime environment is pivotal to CPEC’s success and Pakistan Navy is committed to this arduous task. The third of the Fast Attack Craft (Missile) and Maritime Patrol Vessels, once fully operational, will contribute significantly towards ensuring maritime security,” he said.

Earlier, MD KS&EW Rear-Admiral Syed Hasan Nasir Shah said KS&EW was processing a number of shipbuilding orders and it would soon be simultaneously constructing ships on all three slipways.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2016.