Amidst the prevailing maritime situation in the Middle East, the Pakistan Navy has deployed a guided missile frigate, PNS TUGHRIL (FFG-261), in the Gulf of Aden. This step was taken after yesterday’s Command & Staff Conference, held at Naval Headquarters, Islamabad. Pakistan Navy said this step was taken to ensure the safety and security of merchant ships carrying shipments to and from Pakistani ports passing through one of the world’s busiest choke points.
Pakistan Navy’s press release also stated that “Pakistan Navy is committed to ensuring freedom of navigation on high seas and safety of international sea lanes of communication besides safeguarding national maritime interests and trade through the sea.”
Pakistan Navy is well cognizant of its national obligation with regard to the maintenance of rule-based order in the region. In the same spirit, the Pakistan Navy regularly deploys its ships on Regional Maritime Security Patrols and also contributes to collaborative maritime security efforts under the ambit of Combined Maritime Forces.
PNS Tughril is a Type-54A/P guided missile frigate, armed with anti-ship & anti-air weapon systems. PNS Tughril become part of Pakistan Navy’s fleet in 2022 and it participated in several operational exercises including Aman-2023 multinational maritime exercise.
Umair Aslam is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Defense Insight. He has worked as a defense journalist reporting on military modernization programs, defense industry, arms procurement, and emerging technologies.
