The Pakistan Ministry of Defence Production and Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) on Wednesday signed the contract to build indigenous platforms for Pakistan Navy (PÄkistÄn BÄhri’a). Maj General Akif Iqbal, Additional Secretary Defence Production and Rear Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) were also present on the occasion, said a statement issued by the Pakistan Navy. The contract signing ceremony of indigenously designed gunboat and tugs was held at Ministry of Defence Production on Wednesday where KS&EW Managing Director Rear Admiral Ather Saleem and Munitions Production DG Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Qaiser Janjua signed the contracts.
The gunboat possessing stealth features, armour protection and capable of achieving high speed would be indigenously designed by Pakistan Navy, while its construction would be undertaken by the KS&EW. Additionally, two tugs equipped with state of the art machinery, adept to operate in rough weather and capable to conduct salvage operations will also be constructed. The KS&EW MD highlighted that projects were manifestation of indigenisation and self-sufficiency in defence ship-building. He also underlined that presently various vessels were under-construction at KS&EW including MILGEM corvette, fast attack craft (missile) and tugs for Pakistan Navy and Maritime Patrol Vessel for Pakistan Maritime Security Agency.
The Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited (KS&EW) is a Pakistani defense contractor and military corporation situated in the West Wharf in Karachi, Sindh in Pakistan.The KESW Ltd. is the oldest and the only shipyard in Pakistan, catering for shipbuilding, ship repair and general heavy engineering. It has built numerous cargo ships, oil tankers, tugboats and support vessels, landing craft, naval vessels and submarines for the Pakistani Navy. The shipyard is spread across 71 acres and located at west wharf in Karachi. The current Managing Director KS&EW is Rear Admiral Ather Saleem.
