Despite the deepening economic crisis in the country, the Pakistan Navy has been highly focused on its modernisation plans, inducting new vessels from China, Romania, and Turkey. However, according to Pakistan Navy’s Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, the country's navy is also prioritising indigenisation.
In an interview with European Security & Defence, Admiral Ashraf noted that the Pakistan Navy inducted Type 054 frigates from China, offshore patrol vessels built in Romania and the first of a class of ‘MILGEM’ type corvettes from Turkey.
"The induction of modern platforms and other force multipliers has been a major area of recent focus. At the same time, we have been emphasising indigenisation and the maintenance of diversified supplier options so as to mitigate external dependence," he was quoted as saying.
Noting that collaboration with international partners is the best way ahead to ensure the robust development of the Pakistan Navy's capabilities, he said the country has collaborated with Turkey and China to develop warship construction and these partnerships will further grow in the future.
China has been a big supporter of the Pakistan Navy's modernisation efforts, which include procuring new platforms, increasing indigenous production, and strengthening strategic partnerships.
Pakistan and China had signed the contract for four multi-role frigates back 2018. The first and second ships PNS TUGHRIL and PNS TAIMUR joined the Pakistan Nay fleet in 2022.
Admiral Ashraf listed enhancing the Pakistan Navy's combat readiness through the optimal utilisation of resources and the completion of ongoing projects within relevant financial constraints as his main objectives.
He further said he intends to prepare the navy to make it capable of countering the "conventional and non-conventional threats" that the country faces.
