The first PN MILGEM corvette ‘PNS Babur’ built in Turkey for the Pakistan Navy was launched on 15th August in Istanbul.
The MILGEM (National Ship) marine platforms project is a Turkish warship program that aims to develop multipurpose corvettes and frigates that can be deployed in a range of missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, early warning, anti-submarine warfare, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air warfare, and amphibious operations. In the Turkish Navy, the anti-submarine version of the project is called the Ada-class corvette. In pakistan it is called the Babur-class corvette,
Pakistan and Turkey signed the agreement to induct the MILGEM Corvette under the PN MİLGEM corvette project (Pakistan Navy MILGEM design) on the 6th of September 2018. Within the scope of the PN MİLGEM Program consisting of 4 ships, 2 ships will be built at Istanbul Shipyard Command and 2 ships at Karachi Shipyard. The program started on March 11, 2019. The 4 ships are scheduled to be delivered in August 2023, February 2024, August 2024 and February 2025, respectively.
PN MILGEM Corvette Specification
MILGEM corvettes are designed to perform surface, air and submarine warfare, reconnaissance surveillance, defense against asymmetric threats and command and control.
The overall length of the ship is 108.8 meters and its maximum width is 14.8 meters. With a displacement of 2,400 tons and a draft of 4.1 meters it has the ability to speed up to 26 knots per hour with two diesel engines and a gas turbine.
Jinnah class multi-role frigates
Pakistan has planned to construct Jinnah class multi-role frigates based on the Pakistan Navy MILGEM design.
Pakistan is one of largest export destination for Turkish defense products
Pakistan is one of the largest markets for Turkish defense products, said Pakistan’s president on Sunday.
Speaking at a ship launching ceremony as part of the Pakistan MILGEM Corvette Project in Istanbul, Arif Alvi said the two countries are facing similar challenges and threats, and that they have deepened their partnership in various fields, especially in defense and security.
He said the cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan in the construction of warships contributes not only to the increase in the capabilities of the Pakistan Navy, but also to the strengthening of the friendship between the two countries.
“Pakistan stands by our Turkish Cypriot brothers in Northern Cyprus. We may have two different cultures and languages, but we are one people,” Alvi claimed.