PNS Shamsheer (FFG-252) is the second F-22P Zulfiquar-class guided missile frigate currently in active service with the Pakistan Navy since her commissioning in 2009.[6]
_participating_in_the_International_Fleet_Review_2022.jpg) Shamsheer underway in 2022
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Pakistan | |
| Name | PNS Shamsheer |
| Namesake | Shamshir (Lit. Sabre) |
| Builder | Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard Co. in China |
| Laid down | 13 July 2007 |
| Launched | 31 October 2008[1] |
| Sponsored by | Adm. Noman Bashir[3] |
| Commissioned | 19/20 December 2009[2] |
| In service | 2009–present |
| Homeport | Karachi Naval Base |
| Status | In active service |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | F-22P Zulfiquar-class frigate |
| Displacement | |
| Length | 123.2 m (404 ft 2 in) |
| Beam | 13.8 m (45 ft 3 in) |
| Draught | 3.76 m (12 ft 4 in) |
| Propulsion | |
| Speed | 29 kn (54 km/h) maximum |
| Range | 4,000 nmi (7,400 km) |
| Complement | 215, 15 officers and 200 enlists. |
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Electronic warfare & decoys |
|
| Armament | |
| Aircraft carried | 1 × Harbin Z-9EC ASW helicopter |
| Aviation facilities | Flight deck and enclosed hangar |
Operational history
editShamsheer's steel cutting was held at the Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding in Shanghai, China on 13 July 2007– the official date of her keel laying.[7] She was officially launched on 31 October 2008, completing a number of sea trials in China.[3] On 19 December 2009, she was commissioned in the Pakistan Navy in China, with Adm. Numan Bashir, then-Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), sponsoring and overseeing the commissioning of the ship from China.[3]
She is the namesake of Shamsheer, which means Sword and is a special type of sabre with a 5–15° curve from top to tip.[8] Upon commissioning, she embarked on a long journey from Shanghai, China to Karachi, Sindh, and later paying a four-day state visit to Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka.[8]
On 23 January 2010, Shamsheer reported to her home base, Naval Base Karachi.[9] Upon her arrival at the Naval Base, a celebrating reception was held at the deck of the Shamsheer, attended by Chinese Vice Admiral Tian Zhong and Vice-Admiral Asif Sandila, Vice Chief of Naval Staff.[10]
In 2014, Shamsheer visited Port Klang for a goodwill visit, with a passing exercise planned with the Royal Malaysian Navy.[11]
In 2015, Shamsheer was deployed in the Indian Ocean where she was deployed in Yemen to participate in evacuating the foreign and Pakistani nationals from Yemen after the civil war ensued.[12]
In February 2018, Shamsheer provided medical assistance to Iranian fishermen "in the open sea".[13]
As of 2019, Shamsheer is deployed in Persian Gulf as part of the regional maritime security patrol, paying visits in Oman, Bahrain, and Iran.[14][15][16] In March 2022, a flotilla of Pakistan Navy warships including Shamsheer visited the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2022) at Hamad port, organized by Qatar Armed Forces. In April 2022, Shamsheer visited Port Mina Salman, Bahrain.[17]
In October 2022, two personnel were injured while working at the forecastle after Shamsheer entered rough seas while en route to South Korea before attending the annual Japanese fleet review. The ship sent a Distress signal to the Philippines after which it anchored at Santa Ana port from where NOLCOM forces transported the injured personnel to a Hospital.[18]
PNS Shamsheer was deployed in the Red sea because of the attacks made on international ships and vessels by the Houthi Rebels of Yemen Starting from late 2023, following the Israel - Hamas war .[19][20]
References
edit- ^ "LAUNCHING OF F22-P FRIGATE (PNS SHAMSHEER)". 8 December 2008. Archived from the original on 8 December 2008. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
- ^ a b c APP (20 December 2009). "Another F-22P frigate inducted into navy". DAWN.COM. Dawn Newspaper. Dawn. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ F 2 2 P Frigate Archived 2009-06-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Commissioning of F-22P frigate held in Shanghai". pk.china-embassy.org. Karachi: Embassy of China, Islamabad. 20 December 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
- ^ Staff reporter (13 July 2007). "Steel cutting ceremony of PNS Shamsheer held – Business Recorder". Business Recorder. Business Recorder. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ a b "Pakistan Navy ship due in Sri Lanka today on 4-day visit". DAWN.COM. Dawn. Dawn. 30 November 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's (23 January 2010). "KARACHI: Second F-22P frigate to arrive today". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ "Sino-pak friendship: Navy celebrates 60th anniversary". The Express Tribune. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ "PNS Shamsheer visit Port Klang, Malaysia".
- ^ Shahid, PN, Captain Tanveer. "Carrying National Ethos and Goodwill across Oceans". www.hilal.gov.pk. Hilal. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ "PNS Shamsheer provides medical assistance to Iranian fishermen crew". Radio Pakistan.
- ^ "PNS Shamsheer provides medical assistance to Iranian vessel". Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ "PNS Shamsheer visits Port Sultan Qaboos, Oman". The Nation. 2 May 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ Abbas, Syed Sammer (11 December 2016). "Pakistan Navy's PNS Shamsheer rescues 41 individuals in the Gulf of Aden". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan Navy's frigate PNS Shamsheer visits Bahrain".
- ^ "Philippine Navy Provides Medical Assistance". PakStrategic.com. 25 October 2022.
- ^ "Pakistan deploys warships in Arabian Sea following 'maritime incidents'".
- ^ "Pakistan deploys warships in Arabian Sea following recent Houthi attacks". Arab News.