Pakistan Navy starts construction of first MPV

Pakistan Maritime Security Agency held a steel cutting ceremony for the agency’s first 600 ton Maritime Patrol Vessel.

The ceremony was held May 2 at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works which will construct the ship.

The MPV is a multi mission vessel with a steel hull and an aluminium super structure.

Rear Admiral Syed Hasan Nasir Shah said the ship would be fully equipped to enforce maritime security, search and rescue missions in the Maritime Exclusive Economic Zone of Pakistan.

He further said that Pakistan will be launching 2 ships and starting projects of 3 new ships this year.

No further info on the ship design was provided. However, an artist rendering of the ship indicates that the vessel would be capable of accommodating a helicopter and deploying two rigid hull inflatable boats from the ship’s stern.