ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy’s newly commissioned offshore patrol vessel, Hunain, this week arrived at the Karachi port, the navy said, marking another milestone for the country.
This is the third of four offshore patrol vessels constructed at the Damen naval shipyard in Romania and is equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, according to the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) of Pakistan Navy.
The newly commissioned Pakistan Navy ship set sail from Romania on a maiden voyage to Pakistan on August 10 and arrived in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Friday.
A reception ceremony was held at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi upon arrival of the ship, which was attended by Commander of Pakistan Fleet Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi as the chief guest.
“Addition of PNS (Pakistan Navy Ship) Hunain in PN fleet will significantly enhance Pakistan Navy’s capability of safeguarding maritime frontiers of Pakistan,” Vice Admiral Abbasi was quoted as saying by the DGPR at the reception ceremony.
“Induction of such multipurpose state of the art platforms will provide vital support to ongoing PN Maritime security patrol in Indian Ocean.’
Hunain is a multipurpose medium-sized offshore patrol vessel, equipped with state-of-the-art electronic warfare, anti-ship and anti-air warfare weapons, sensors, and self-protection and terminal defense system, according to the DGPR.
The ship was built and commissioned in Romania in July this year.
Newly commissioned Pakistan Navy ship Hunain arrives at Karachi port
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Newly commissioned Pakistan Navy ship Hunain arrives at Karachi port
- This is the third of four offshore patrol vessels constructed for Pakistan at Damen naval shipyard in Romania
- The ship is equipped with electronic warfare, anti-ship and anti-air warfare weapons, and terminal defense system
Pakistan deploys F-16 Block-52 jets to Saudi Arabia for multinational air combat exercise
- PAF joins US, UK, Gulf and European air forces in Spears of Victory-2026
- Deployment comes amid expanding Pakistan-Saudi defense cooperation
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Force has deployed F-16 Block-52 fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia to take part in the multinational air combat exercise Spears of Victory-2026, marking a significant overseas deployment of its frontline combat jets, the military said on Monday.
The exercise is being hosted at King Abdulaziz Air Base and includes participation from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, France, Italy, Greece, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, the United Kingdom and the United States, bringing together a wide range of advanced fighter aircraft and combat support elements.
Such multinational drills are designed to test air forces in complex, high-intensity scenarios, including large force employment, night composite air operations, integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and operations in advanced electronic warfare environments. For Pakistan, participation provides exposure to contemporary combat doctrines and interoperability with leading Western and regional air forces.
“Pakistan Air Force contingent comprising F-16 Block-52 fighter aircraft, alongside dedicated air and ground crew, has arrived at King Abdulaziz Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to participate in the multinational aerial combat Exercise Spears of Victory-2026,” a PAF spokesperson said in a statement.
The statement said PAF pilots flying F-16 Block-52 aircraft equipped with modern avionics and beyond-visual-range capabilities would be “pitched against aircrew of participating Air Forces operating a wide array of sophisticated combat aircraft” during the exercise.
It added that for the international deployment, “PAF fighter aircraft undertook a non-stop flight from their home base in Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, demonstrating the long-range operational reach and expeditionary capabilities of Pakistan Air Force.”
The air force said participation in the exercise reflects its intent to validate operational preparedness in a contested, technology-driven battlespace while enhancing interoperability and professional exchange with partner air forces.
The deployment comes amid deepening defense ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The two countries have expanded military cooperation through joint exercises, training exchanges and defense agreements in recent years, including a mutual defense cooperation pact signed last year.
Saudi Arabia remains one of Pakistan’s closest defense and security partners in the Middle East, with regular engagement across air, land and naval domains.
