PN Babur Class Corvettes: A Land Mark Project of Pak-Turk Friendship

KS&EW is undertaking the construction of 02 x state-of-the-art 3,000 tonnes displacement PN MILGEM/BABUR Class Corvettes for Pakistan Navy. The design is based on contemporary trends and certified by Türk Loydu (TL). Primary roles of these corvettes include Anti-Surface, Anti Subsurface, Anti Air, Surveillance & Intelligence Gathering, Day & Night Helo Operations, Command & Control Ship and Combat Search & Rescue. While secondary roles include Maritime Security Operations, Training and Military Operations other than War time role. Ship can also undertake ASW/ASuW operations through embarked organic helicopter and has capability for defence against Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threats. These Corvettes have an overall Length of 108.2 m, Breadth 14.8 m, Draft 4.1 m, Displacement of 3000 tonnes, Speed 26 knots and Range 4000 NM. Main Propulsion System is classified as Combined Diesel & Gas (CODAG) while weapons include 76 mm Main Gun, 02 x 25 mm Guns, SSM, SAM, PDMS and torpedoes. The Sensors include Surveillance Radar, Navigational Radar, Fire Control Radar, Sonar, ESM and IRSM.

A tri-party contract was signed on 06 Sep 18, between MoDP, KS&EW and M/s ASFAT of Türkiye for the construction of 04 x PN MILGEM Class Corvettes. Under the contract, 02 x ships (PN MILGEM No 1 & 2) are to be constructed at Istanbul Naval Shipyard and 02 x ships (PN MILGEM No 3 & 4) at KS&EW. Design and KoM for construction of ships are being provided by M/s ASFAT of Türkiye.

To meet project timelines and increase capacity building, KS&EW installed additional CNC cutting machines along-with modern tools and equipment at par with the technological advancements in shipbuilding industry. Furthermore, large number of welders were also Class certified for all welding works (block fabrication, block assembly on berth, piping, outfitting, and electrical works) of PN MILGEM. Steel cutting and block fabrication of 48 hull blocks were completed in 20 months’ time for each ship.

PN MILGEM is being built under a 04 tier Quality Control System which include inspection by respective workshops, inspection by KS&EW QC department, checks by PN inspection team and 3rd party audit by class surveyor i.e. TL alongwith paint inspections through NACE II inspector’s inspection criteria. To-date over 20,000 inspections have been carried out, with 1st time qualifying percentage of above 95%.

Keel laying of PN MILGEM No. 3 & 4 were undertaken on 28 Oct 20 and 05 Nov 21, respectively. Intricate task of assembling the ship on berth was conducted under strict dimensional control of the Class rules. The assembled structure underwent detailed NDT (X-ray, dye penetration, and ultrasound) as per qualification criteria of the Class. A total of 06 decks were assembled on berth, taking the height of the ship close to 17 m. Assembly of 48 hull blocks on berth was completed in 16 months’ time for each ship.

Outfitting of 3000 Tonnes PN MILGEM has been equally challenging task. Scope of work under this domain include cable laying and pipes installation spanning over several kilometers through entire ship’s structure, thousands of connections, fabrication and installation of number of foundations, painting and insulation of hundreds of compartments and tanks, etc. Embarkation and installation of large number of machinery/equipment including Main Propulsion System, Power Generation & Distribution System, Weapon, Sensors and Deck fittings etc. Launching of PN MILGEM No. 3 & 4 were held on 20 May 22 and 02 Aug 23 respectively after completion of all hull related work. Presently, setting to work and trials of PN MILGEM No. 3 while outfitting work of PN MILGEM No. 4 is in progress. The maiden voyage for PN MILGEM No. 3 is scheduled by end of 2025, subsequently the vessel will be delivered in early 2026 followed by the delivery of PN MILGEM No. 4.

KS&EW feels proud to undertake indigenous construction of this state of the art modern warship with. For this KS&EW is grateful to PN and MoDP for reposing confidence in KS&EW and awarding this prestigious mega project. After successful construction and delivery in the year 2019 of 17000 tons Fleet Tanker PNS MOAWIN in collaboration with M/s STM of Türkiye, KS&EW is committed to make PN MILGEM project a success again with Türkiye assistance.