Pakistan: Damen-built OPV PNS Yamama enters service

In a ceremony held at Jinnah Naval Base, Ormara, the Pakistan Navy marked a significant milestone with the commissioning of its fourth offshore patrol vessel (OPV), PNS Yamama.

As disclosed, the vessel, which entered into service on April 14, 2025, was built by Dutch shipbuilding major Damen. The OPV is a multipurpose ship equipped with modern stealth features, the latest command and control systems, and modern weapons and sensors, enabling it to operate in a multi-threat environment.

As the fourth in the series, the induction of this ship is expected to ‘significantly enhance’ the Pakistan Navy’s capability to ensure seaward defense, protect sea lines of communication, and maintain order at sea.

While addressing the ceremony, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, highlighted the precarious geostrategic environment in the Indian Ocean and emphasized the need for a potent naval force to counter emerging traditional and non-traditional challenges.

He reiterated that the addition of PNS Yamama to the PN fleet would significantly enhance the Pakistan Navy’s capability to safeguard the maritime frontiers of Pakistan and reinforce its commitment to ensuring safety and security in international waters.

To remind, PNS Yamama was delivered to the navy in December last year. The event follows the delivery of the PNS Hunain in the summer of 2024. The second batch of OPVs features a displacement of 2,600 tons, and the vessels are 98 meters long. They are suited to a wide range of maritime operations, including maritime security and military operations other than war. The vessels are capable and equipped to undertake sustained operations in contested environments.