During January 24-28, 2022, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff – Projects (DCNS [Projects]) Pakistan Navy Vice Admiral (VADM) Imran AHMED paid an official visit to Istanbul Naval Shipyard (INSY) to review the progress of PN-MILGEM Corvettes being constructed by Turkey for the Pakistan Navy (PN).  Thanks to special permission from NHQ, within the scope of this official visit, as of DEFENCE TURKEY Magazine, we made an exclusive interview with VADM Imran AHMED on January 24, 2022, to get first-hand information on (DCNS [Projects]) of PN, the major procurement and modernization programs of PN at Istanbul Shipyard Command.

Emphasizing the Pakistan Navy's goal to be a combat-ready multi-dimensional force that safeguards Pakistan's maritime interests and radiating influence in the region with a global outlook, VADM Imran AHMED underlined that the PN hinges upon the construction and acquisition of modern and potent surface and subsurface combatants as well as contemporary advancements in the Air domain. "The PN is building and acquiring Type 054A/P Frigates, 4 x MILGEM Class Corvettes, 4 x OPVs, Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Class CH-4 attack drones, Jet LRMPAs, a modern Helicopter Fleet, Attack Submarines, acquisition of new Shallow Water Attack Submarines (S/Ms), while giving focused attention to the existing fleet."

VADM Imran AHMED: “ Our expectation of PN-MILGEM goes much beyond the 4 warships being built. The project also includes Transfer of Technology, upgrade of Karachi Shipyard, and designing a purpose-built JINNAH Class Frigate (JCF) for the Pakistan Navy.

VADM Imran AHMED gave information about the Pakistan Navy's expectations from the PN-MILGEM Project and shared his personal assessment of the Turkish Naval Sector companies' existing capabilities in meeting the Pakistan Navy's modernization requirements. "With regards to PN-MILGEM, with the induction of a modern, well-equipped, and state-of-the-art BABUR Class Corvettes in the PN Fleet, Pakistan will acquire the best capability to respond to future challenges and maintain peace & stability, and the balance of power in the Indian Ocean Region. The PN-MILGEM Project is a testimony of the Pakistan Navy's trust in the ever-growing Turkish Naval Shipbuilding industry. Our expectation of PN-MILGEM goes much beyond the 4 warships being built. The project also includes Transfer of Technology, upgrade of Karachi Shipyard, and designing a purpose-built JINNAH Class Frigate (JCF) for the Pakistan Navy.

As an offset of the PN-MILGEM Project, the collaborative design of the JINNAH Class Frigate (JCF) is being undertaken by PN and Turkish Naval ship designers. The first three phases of the project have been successfully completed, while the Functional Design Phase is in progress. The project will be completed by 2025."

VADM Imran AHMED: “If the Turkish aeronautical setup has any such proposal to develop a joint ASW/ Surveillance aircraft, the PN would certainly consider it.”

Speaking on the possibility of joint naval industry programs with Turkey, VADM Imran AHMED stated that developing an airborne ASW/Surveillance platform is a plausible proposition. “The Joint Naval Industry Program for developing an airborne ASW/ Surveillance platform is a plausible proposition. However, as of now, steps in this regard have not been initiated due to the requirement of an elaborated aeronautical setup. Notwithstanding the aforesaid, if the Turkish aeronautical setup has any such proposal to develop a joint ASW/ Surveillance aircraft, the PN would certainly consider it.”

You can find the full interview in our 112th issue.