Pakistan Navy gets first fast attack craft - PNS Azmat

PNS Azmat, Pakistan's first Fast Attack Craft (Missile), was commissioned in Pakistan Navy

A ceremony in this regard was held at the Xingang Shipyard, China. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila was the chief guest on the occasion. According to an official statement, the chief guest lauded the commissioning of the craft in Pakistan Navy as yet another achievement of the experts working on development of navy’s capabilities. Acknowledging the efforts of Chinese engineers and technicians for construction of FAC (M), the chief guest congratulated the China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Company (CSOC) and Xingang Shipyard for their full cooperation and commitment in commissioning of the craft as per schedule. The achievement was yet another example of Pak-China cooperation, he said.

The naval chief said the project of missile craft construction represented a quantum leap not only in defence production in maritime sector of Pakistan but also addressed a longstanding operational requirement of the Pakistan Navy. The collaboration in the project would open new avenues that would be milestones in defence cooperation between China and Pakistan. The naval chief emphasised that the induction of missile craft would not only supplement Pakistan Navy’s combat potential but would also afford the force an opportunity to distinctly uphold its forward presence in important areas, contributing to balance the power equation in the region. PNS AZMAT is the first of AZMAT Class Fast Attack Craft (Missile). The contract for construction of two fast attack craft (missile) was signed on the basis of Transfer of Technology (ToT).

The first craft was to be built in China and the second at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW). The vessel being built in Karachi is equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, including surface-to-surface missiles and stealth features.