Pakistan is set to strengthen its naval capabilities with its first indigenously designed frigate-class warships, the Jinnah Class Frigates, marking a significant milestone in the country’s defense sector.
According to Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff, this decision is a response to the increasing maritime security challenges in the region.
The Jinnah Class Frigates are designed to address a broad range of modern naval threats, including surface warfare, anti-submarine operations, and air defense.
These multi-role ships will be built between 100 and 150 meters long, weighing 2,000-4,000 tons, and equipped with advanced weaponry like guns, missiles, torpedoes, and anti-submarine rockets.
Admiral Ashraf emphasized that these ships are being developed based on insights from the construction of the MILGEM Class ships, and will significantly reduce Pakistan’s dependence on foreign naval platforms. This is part of Pakistan’s broader effort to modernize its fleet, which also includes the induction of advanced vessels like the PNS Babur and PNS Hunain.
Additionally, two MILGEM class ships are under construction at Karachi Shipyard. Pakistan’s future naval strategy focuses on enhancing combat readiness with indigenously developed technologies, ensuring a balanced and flexible naval force capable of countering evolving maritime threats.