New offshore patrol vessel delivered to Pakistan Navy

The Pakistan Navy recently took delivery of the final one of four Yarmook-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).

Like its earlier sister PNS Hunain, PNS Yamama was built as a multi-purpose surface combatant that is also equipped to carry a helicopter, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and two rigid inflatable boats (RIBs). The 98-metre-long OPV also has deck space for two 20-foot containers housing mission-specific equipment modules.

The vessel's armament consists of a 30mm naval gun, 12.7mm machine guns, a 20mm close-in weapon system, and surface-to-surface missiles.

Yamama belongs the Yarmook-class Batch II ships, which are around seven metres longer than their Batch I sisters. Power is provided by four diesel engines that drive controllable-pitch propellers to deliver speeds of up to 24 knots.

The OPV will be used primarily for anti-air warfare and anti-surface warfare. Secondary missions will include search and rescue (SAR), humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR), maritime border surveillance, and counter-drug operations.