RAWALPINDI, 21 FEB: /DNA/ – Launching Ceremony of state-of-the-art  4th Offshore Patrol Vessel, PNS YAMAMA (Desig) being built for Pakistan Navy was held at M/s DAMEN Shipyard Galati, Romania. Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff underscored the importance of maritime security under the prevailing conventional and non-conventional maritime threats to energy and trade highways passing through Indian Ocean Region. In this context, he highlighted that Pakistan Navy has tremendous contribution in maintenance of safe and secure sea environment for maritime trade. The Admiral expressed his confidence that induction of these multipurpose and highly adaptive platforms; equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors will further strengthen combat capability of PN Fleet in safeguarding maritime frontiers while ensuring Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean Region, especially in the Arabian Sea.

Earlier during his welcome address, Chief Operations Officer of M/s DAMEN Group Netherlands highlighted that DAMEN Shipyard and Pakistan Navy are enjoying historic relations since 1986. He highlighted that M/s DAMEN would continue to deliver cost effective, technologically advanced and potent ships to PN to meet their operational requirements.

The launching ceremony was attended by high ranking officials from Romanian Government and Navy, Pakistan Navy, M/s DAMEN and notables from Pakistani community in Romania.