The Pakistan Navy completed constructing all MILGEM ships which Turkiye agreed to build in Istanbul under the agreement. The Istanbul Naval Shipyard delivered the second MILGEM-class corvette which Pakistan Navy named PNS Khaibar.
The Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command conducted the commissioning ceremony for PNS Khaibar which became the second MILGEM-class ship of the Pakistan Navy on December 20.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the ceremony as the main guest while Admiral Naveed Ashraf from Pakistan joined him as the Chief of the Naval Staff of Pakistan.
President Erdoğan delivered remarks at the event while stating that Pakistan and Türkiye maintain a relationship which serves as an example for other nations to emulate. He emphasized that defence manufacturing required enhanced collaboration between nations. The naval cooperation between the two nations has evolved from basic procurement to collaborative development of military equipment and intelligence sharing according to his statements.
The Pakistan Navy representative Admiral Naveed Ashraf expressed his appreciation to the Turkish Ministry of Defence company ASFAT and the Istanbul Naval Shipyard (ITK) and all original equipment manufacturers who supported the planning and construction of MILGEM ships. The Pakistan Navy and Turkish Naval Forces maintain continuous collaboration which strengthens their operational partnership while building an enduring strategic partnership.
President Erdoğan visited the PNS Khaibar following its official activation. The visit included discussions between Admiral Ashraf and his team about how maritime security patterns are evolving across the region while they explored potential future naval cooperation.
The Pakistan Navy operates its most sophisticated surface combatants through its MILGEM-class corvette fleet. The ships operate with advanced command systems which combine powerful sensors and modern weapon systems. The initiative serves as a vital component for Pakistan to enhance its surface naval capabilities.
The Ministry of Defence Production of Pakistan together with ASFAT established a contract in 2018 to acquire four MILGEM-class ships. The agreement required Türkiye to construct two ships while Pakistan built the remaining two vessels with assistance from Türkiye. The PNS Khaibar commissioning event brings an end to all MILGEM construction activities which took place in Türkiye. The two nations have achieved a major advancement through their naval partnership development.
