German Navy Ship FGS Bayern (FFG-217) visited Karachi from 08-12 September 2021. The visit was aimed at commemorating 70 years of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Germany. The four day long visit of FGS BAYERN (FFG-217) comprised of harbor and sea phase. Harbor phase included various harbor events, social calls, visits to prominent places, table top discussions on professional topics, cross ship visits and onboard receptions. A delegation of the visiting German Ship visited mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam to pay tribute to the founder of Pakistan and laid floral wreath.
On completion of Harbor phase bilateral exercise at sea was also conducted between ships of both navies to enhance interoperability between the two navies. Pakistan and German Navies are partners in peace and striving to achieve safe and secure maritime environment. The recent visit of FGS BAYERN proved to be eventful and professionally rewarding for both the navies in addition to furthering of bilateral relations of the two navies. PNS ZULFIQUAR also visited port of Hamburg Germany earlier in August 2021 to celebrate seven decades of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Bayern is a Brandenburg-class frigate of the German Navy. Bayern and the three other frigates of the Brandenburg class were designed as replacements for the Hamburg-class destroyers. These frigates primarily carry out anti-submarine warfare, but they also contribute to anti-aircraft warfare defenses, the tactical command of squadrons, and surface-to-surface warfare operations. Their design includes some stealth features. Currently the F123 class is being upgraded under the auspices of the Fähigkeitsanpassung FüWES (FAF) project. In August 2021, Bayern was deployed to the South China Sea in an effort to “show more presence in the Indo-Pacific region.”
