Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan began the welding of the third ship to be designed under the Milgem project for the Pakistan Navy.
During the welding ceremony of the third out of four Milgem Ada-class corvettes for the Pakistan Navy in Istanbul, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Muhammad Sajjad Qazi was also together with the Turkish President Erdogan.
Apart from Turkish President, there were other powerful personnel who attended the ceremony, including Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, Turkish General Staff Yasar Guler, Turkish Naval Forces Commander Admiral Adnan Ozbal, the Grand National Assembly Speaker Mustafa Sentop and many more notable individuals.
“Our brotherly country with whom Turkey enjoys excellent relations,” said President Erdogan while speaking to the ceremony.
Turkish President @RTErdogan at Welding Ceremony for 3rd Milgem Ship for ?? said there is great potential for Pakistan-Turkey cooperation in defense industry. He noted that signing of?? ?? Strategic Economic Framework, in Feb2020, would further strengthen our ties. pic.twitter.com/2iC0im9jsY
— Pakistan Embassy Turkey (@PakinTurkey) January 23, 2021
He underlined that another breakthrough in Turkey-Pakistan security relations was the defense partnership for the construction of Milgem class warships.
Read more: Pakistan Navy commissions new Damen-built PNS Tabuk corvette
President Erdogan said Pakistan and Turkey both live in challenging geographical regions, and similar difficulties have been faced by both countries. He said Turkey will continue to assist friendly and allied countries in the field of defence.
President Erdogan, referring to his visit to Pakistan last year, said that the two countries had signed a Strategic Economic Agreement that would provide the institutional framework needed to further strengthen bilateral relations.
All of the Turkish dignitaries speaking at the ceremony hailed the fraternal ties between Pakistan and Turkey and reiterated Turkey’s support for Pakistan on key issues of national interest.
The contract with ASFAT Inc, a Turkish state-owned defense contractor company, for four Milgem class corvettes for the Pakistan Navy with concurrent Transfer of Technology (ToT) was signed in 2018.
According to the scheme, at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW), the Pakistan Navy’s advanced shipbuilding division, which also includes technology transfer, two corvettes will be constructed in Turkey and the other two will be constructed in Pakistan.
With a displacement capacity of 2,400 tons, Milgem ships are 99 meters long and can travel at a speed of 29 nautical miles. Due to these anti-submarine warfare frigates, Pakistan’s Navy’s defence will further enhance.
