Pakistan Navy unveils indigenous Jinnah-class frigate model at Maritime Expo

Locally designed multi-role warship marks major step toward self-reliance in naval defence technology

The Pakistan Navy unveiled a scale model of a state-of-the-art warship named the Jinnah-class frigate at the Pakistan International Maritime Conference and Expo exhibition being held at the Expo Centre till Thursday. 

A contract for its construction has been signed with the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited. The fully Pakistani-built warship, slated to join the fleet by 2028, will be capable of anti-submarine operations, anti-surface operations and counter-piracy missions at sea.

The Jinnah-class frigate will be equipped with a hull-mounted sonar (a system for threat detection) and will also have a helicopter landing deck, among other features.

At the Expo Centre, the Navy introduced the giant model of the frigate, designed to mirror the real ship with radar, guns, sensors and other equipment. The Jinnah-class is Pakistan’s first indigenously designed, modern multi-role frigate capable of operating in multi-threat environments.

Read: PIMEC continues for its second day at Karachi Expo Centre

In an exclusive interview with The Express Tribune, Navy Commander Adnan said the warship was designed by the Pakistan Navy’s Platform Design Wing. He added that the ship will be equipped with a helicopter for anti-submarine operations. The Naval Ship Classification Society Turk Loydu is validating the design. Commander Adnan called the indigenous Jinnah-class design a major step toward full self-reliance in naval shipbuilding. He said a contract has been signed with the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited and the first ship will be delivered to the Pakistan Navy in 2027–28.

The frigate will carry out anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air operations and will be fitted with a hull-mounted sonar system. The ship will also enable counter-piracy operations. It measures 119 meters in length with a 15-meter beam, has a displacement of about 3,300 tons and will be powered by four diesel engines. Armament will include a 30 mm gun, additional weapons, sensors and torpedoes.

According to Commander Adnan, building this warship domestically is a matter of pride for the Pakistan Navy and the country as a whole. Once inducted into the fleet, Jinnah-class ships will play a key role in the regional balance of power.