Pakistan Navy boosts maritime security with launch of PNS Yamama

Launching ceremony of Pakistan Navy’s state-of-the-art 4th Offshore Patrol Vessel was held in Romania, says ISPR

Launching ceremony of Pakistan Navy’s state-of-the-art 4th Offshore Patrol Vessel, PNS Yamama, was held at M/s DAMEN Shipyard Galati in Romania, the military said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami, graced the occasion as the chief guest, marking a momentous occasion for Pakistan's maritime capabilities.

Vice Chief of The Naval Staff Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami during handing/ taking ceremony between Pakistan Navy and M/s DAMEN Shipyard officials during Launching ceremony of Offshore Vessel PNS Yamama at M/s DAMEN Shipyard Galati, Romania. PHOTO: ISPR

In his address, the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff emphasised the critical role of maritime security amidst prevailing conventional and non-conventional threats in the Indian Ocean Region. He underscored Pakistan Navy's pivotal contribution to maintaining safe and secure sea lanes crucial for maritime trade.

The induction of multipurpose and highly adaptive platforms like PNS Yamama, equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, is expected to bolster Pakistan Navy's combat capability in safeguarding maritime frontiers and ensuring maritime security in the Arabian Sea and beyond.

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The ceremony also saw the Chief Operations Officer of M/s DAMEN Group Netherlands reaffirming the historic relations between DAMEN Shipyard and Pakistan Navy, dating back to 1986. He reiterated DAMEN's commitment to delivering cost-effective, technologically advanced, and potent ships to meet Pakistan Navy's operational requirements.

Attended by high-ranking officials from the Romanian Government and Navy, as well as representatives from M/s DAMEN and the Pakistani community in Romania, the launching ceremony showcased the strong bilateral ties and collaboration between Pakistan and Romania in the maritime domain.