Three state of the art Eridan class MCMVs form a potent Mine-hunting force. One of the three ships was built in Pakistan, while the first two were built and commissioned in France. Their capabilities and characteristics are as follows. PNS MUNSIF PNS MUNSIF is an ERIDAN class ‘TRIPARTITE MINEHUNTER’, the lead ship of the three mine hunters purchased from France. She was Commissioned in the French Navy as SAGITTAIRE on 28 July 1989. As SAGITTAIRE, she proved her supremacy in mine hunting during the Gulf war by locating and neutralizing a record number of 145 mines. Ex SAGITTAIRE was transferred to the Pakistan Navy on 24 September 1992 and commissioned as PNS MUNSIF on 26 October 1992. The main utilization of the ship is to undertake mine warfare operations for seaward defence. The ship is capable of carrying out mechanical sweeping and mine hunting through state of art equipment. PNS MUHAFIZ The ship is an ERIDAN class TRIPARTITE Mine Hunter, the second of three Mine Hunters purchased from France. The ship was completely built in France. Her keel was laid on 8 July 1995 and commissioned at Lorient, France on 15 April 1996. On arrival in Pakistan the ship was formally inducted in the fleet on 18 September 1996. PNS MUHAFIZ is fitted with state of the art Mine Hunting System. The ship can detect and neutralize all types of under water mines with her highly accurate detection and intervention system. PNS MUJAHID PNS MUJAHID is an ERIDAN class Mine hunter, built at PN Dockyard Karachi with the assistance of DCN Lorient. PNS MUJAHID is the first ever indigenously built ERIDAN class Mine Hunter. The ship was commissioned on 9 July 1998. With her highly accurate detection and intervention system, PNS MUJAHID can detect and neutralize all types of underwater mines. Special design features have been employed in the construction of this vessel to ensure low magnetic and acoustic signatures.