Pakistan Navy Takes Delivery of Second Offshore Patrol Vessel from Damen

The Damen Shipyards Group has delivered its second Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) 2600 to the Pakistan Navy.

The vessel, named PNS Yamama, was handed over during a ceremony on December 17 at Constanta, Romania, following the delivery of PNS Hunain earlier in 2024.

The PNS Yamama is designed for a broad range of maritime operations, including security and non-combat military missions.

The Damen OPV 2600 is approximately 85 meters long with a top speed of around 22 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles. It accommodates a crew of 60 to 70 personnel, has various armament options, and features integrated navigation and surveillance systems, as well as helicopter facilities.

This delivery builds on the earlier construction of the Yarmook-class corvettes, also built by Damen and commissioned in 2020.

The recent OPV project reflects growing cooperation between Damen and the Pakistan Navy, further strengthened by a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed during the IDEAS 2024 defense exhibition in Karachi. The agreement supports the Pakistan Maritime Science and Technology Park (PMSTP), an initiative aimed at fostering innovation and advancing maritime technology.

Damen’s role in the PMSTP includes establishing a local service center for maintenance and collaborating with local businesses on shipbuilding projects.