ISLAMABAD: The Keel Laying ceremony of second Off-shore Patrol Vessel being constructed for Pakistan Navy (PN) was held on Thursday at DAMEN Shipyard Galati, Romania.
Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Ambassador of Pakistan to Romania, attended the ceremony as Chief Guest, a Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
Owning to the satisfactory performance of the first Batch of OPVs (PNS YARMOOK and PNS TABUK) in Pakistan Navy, the construction of the second Batch of OPVs was in progress in Romania.
The ship would be a highly adaptive and multi-purpose platform equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and weapons to successfully fight all domains of maritime warfare.
Chief guest of the ceremony
In his address, the chief guest highlighted the importance of OPVs by stressing that these platforms will act as force multipliers in increasing PN capability of safeguarding maritime borders and will offer flexibility in the conduct of its initiative of independent Regional Maritime Security Patrols in the region of Indian Ocean.
He added that PN has been successfully playing its role in ensuring a secure sea environment not only to Pakistan but also to seafarers from around the world.
He lauded the professional shipbuilding skills of M/s DAMEN and commended the timely delivery of ships to the PN.
