Pakistan Navy Receives Second New Offshore Patrol Vessel

Damen Shipyards Group has delivered PNS Yamama, the second of two new larger Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), to the Pakistan Navy.

A sister ship to the PNS Hunain delivered this summer, the Yamama is an OPV 2600 design, larger than the two other OPV 1900 corvettes in the Yarmook Class already in service with the Pakistan Navy.

The Yamama was built on the banks of the Danube in Romania at Damen Shipyards Galati, one of the largest production facilities of the Dutch group, which boasts more than 30 shipbuilding and repair yards across the globe.

The 2,600 ton OPV vessels are 98 metres long, with a 14.6-metre beam and a four-metre draught. They have a 5,000-nautical-mile range and can achieve a maximum speed of 25 knots. The multi-mission vessels are fitted with side-scan sonar systems and can carry out a wide range of maritime operations including Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Mine Countermeasures (MCM) missions.

They also typically carry two rigid-hulled inflatable boats, a medium-sized helicopter and an an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) system.

As per a recent company press statement, the handover ceremony for the new vessel took place on Tuesday at Constanta on the coast of the Black Sea. Speaking during the ceremony, Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi, said, “The Offshore Patrol Vessels project is an ultimate success not only for Pakistan but for Damen, the Galati Shipyard and all co-makers involved in the conception, design, construction and commissioning of the four OPVs.

"I am confident that the collaboration between the Pakistan Navy and Damen will further extend to new avenues for shared gains.”

Damen will be supporting the establishment of a local maintenance yard for Damen vessels operating in Pakistan and will collaborate with local businesses on the joint design and development of new ships for the Pakistan Navy.

• You can read more details on the Damen Shipyards Group website