• PNS ZULFIQUAR • PNS SHAMSHEER • PNS ALAMGIR... • The induction of PNS ZULFIQUAR in PN Fleet on 19 August 2009, led to the establishment of 2nd Squadron of Destroyers in PN. However, arrival of second F-22P ship PNS SHAMSHEER on 23 January 2009 marked the formal raising of this newly established Squadron which since then has started functioning at par with other Squadrons of the Fleet. • Three F-22P Ships i.e. PNS ZULFIQUAR, PNS SHAMSHEER and PNS SAIF and 1st OHP PNS ALAMGIR have been commissioned and inducted in PN Fleet so far. 4th F-22P ship PNS ASLAT(Desig) has been launched at KS&EW and conduct of SATs will commence shortly. Despite the fact that the Squadron is newly raised, it has started functioning as a well knit unit in complete harmony with other Squadrons of the Fleet. Presently the Squadron is Commanded by Commodore Asif Khalique SI(M) PNS ZULFIQUAR BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SHIP • PNS ZULFIQUAR is the pioneer ship of the SWORD Class, F-22P Frigate Project. It is the third ship, named ZULFIQUAR after the sword of Hazrat Ali R.A. She was commissioned on 30 July 2009 in Shanghai, China. PNS ZULFIQUAR is able to undertake anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions simultaneously. The ship has 76 mm main gun, SSM, SAM, Anti-S/M torpedoes and radar/ EO fire control systems. • It is equipped with advance systems which provide better sea keeping, fuel economy, corrosion resistance and reduce acoustic and magnetic signatures. The ship is fitted with four diesel engines, driving twin CPPs and is capable of attaining 29 Knots of speed coupled with excellent maneuverability. The ship also carries a modern Z9EC anti-submarine warfare helicopter. PARTICIPATION IN AMAN 2011 • Exercise AMAN-11 was conducted from 8-12 Mar 11. The ship actively participated in Harbour and Sea phases. This exercise afforded opportunity in enhancing interoperability between regional and extra regional navies thereby acting as a bridge between the regions. Ship also acted as host for PLA(N) ship MAANSHAN during the exercise. Saudi Naval Officers from HMS AL RIYADH visited the ship on 09 March 2011 during cross ship visit programme. PARTICIPATION IN COUNTER PIRACY DEPLOYMENT • PNS ZULFIQUAR with embarked Z9EC-24 participated in Counter Piracy Deployment (CPD) from 27 September to 18 October 2011. During entire CPD, ship mainly remained deployed in Gulf of Aden (GOA) with short stints in Somali Basin (SB) and Arabian Sea (AS). CCTF-151 exercised Tactical Control (TACON) of the ship. PNS SHAMSHEER BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SHIP • PNS SHAMSHEER derives its name from the traditional word sword “SHAMSHEER” used by the Muslims warriors in battles; considered as a symbol of valour and martyrdom in Islamic history. PNS SHAMSHEER is the third ship to be so named. The first ship of the class inducted in PN was HMPS SHAMSHEER (F-252) inherited at time of independence. It served the PN Fleet as an ASW frigate as well as training ship for cadets and sailors till 1960. The second ship was Leander Class ASW frigate (F 263) acquired from RN in 1988 and served PN Fleet till July 2002. Present PNS SHAMSHEER was launched on 31 Oct 08, commissioned on 19 Dec 09 at HZ Shipyard Shangai, China and sailed for her maiden passage for Pakistan on 25 Dec 09. The ship is a forerunner frigate of PN fleet and an integral component of its operations. PARTICIPATION IN MULTI NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS • Ship participated in under mentioned multi-national campaigns: a. Exercise Thamar Al Tayib. Ship alongwith PNS JALALAT and QUWWAT participated in Exercise Thamar Al Tayib at Wudam (Oman) from 08 – 11 Jan 11. b. AMAN 2011. Ship participated in Exercise Aman 2011 held in Mar 2011 alongwith 11 ships from US, UK, Sri-lanka, Bangladesh, China, and Indonesia. A variety of ceremonials and maritime operations including live weapons firings, MIO/ VBSS, fly past, men & cheership etc were carried out. • BRIDEX 2011/ 60th Pak-China Friendship Celebration. Ship participated in 3rd Brunei International Defence Exhibition (BRIDEX) 2011 from 5-9 Jul 11 followed by visit to Qingdao (China) from 19-22 Jul 11 in connection with 60th Pak-China Friendship celebrations. The visit contributed in fostering the time tested friendly ties between PN and PLA(Navy). • Counter Piracy Deployment. Ship participated in Counter Piracy Deployment from 05 – 27 Jan 12 under ambit of CTF-151. During the deployment ship carried out Baseline Counter Piracy Operations (BCP) in International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). PNS ALAMGIR BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SHIP • FFG 8 Ex USS MCINERNEY, an Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigate, was built in Bath Iron Works and later commissioned into US Navy in Dec 1979. It was second of the series of total 51 OHPs commissioned into US Navy. Apart from US Navy, Australia, Spain, Poland, Bahrain, Egypt, Taiwan, Turkey and now Pakistan are operating this class/ or ships constructed taking OHPs design. A total of 59 OHPs are active in various navies today. FFG 8 was handed over to Pakistan Navy on 31 Aug 10 and was subsequently commissioned on the same day as PNS ALAMGIR into Pakistan Navy at Naval Station Mayport, Jacksonville, Florida. PNS ALAMGIR is 453 feet long and displaces 4100 tons. It is propelled by 2 Gas turbines on a single shaft and can achieve speeds in excess of 30 kts in 100 secs. Ship is well equipped for various national and multinational taskings. PNS ALAMGIR can carry two helicopters for multiple tasks. • PNS ALAMGIR during its maiden voyage from USA to Pakistan conducted PASSEXes with Spanish Navy, Turkish Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Forces. PARTICIPATION IN MULTI NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS • PNS ALAMGIR is the only ship in Squadron which has successfully completed both CPD and CMCP deployment. Salient of both the deployments are appended below: a CMCP Deployment. PNS ALAMGIR with embarked Z9EC participated in CMCP from 19 Jun 11 to 26 Aug 11. It was ship's maiden deployment after commissioning into Pakistan Navy. Apart from various national and coalition tasking, ship conducted PASSEX with HMAS TOOWOOMBA on 17 and 18 Aug in GOO (Gulf of Oman). Ship also visited Port Mina Ash Shuwaikh, Kuwait and Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat from 02 to 06 Jul 11 and 06 to 10 Aug 11 respectively. b. CPD Deployment. PNS ALAMGIR with embarked Z9EC undertook Counter Piracy Deployment from 02 Apr to 01 May 12. Ship remained deployed in GOA to conduct Counter Piracy Ops under the Tactical Control of CCTF 151, Rear Admiral Tanin Litikawong, Royal Thai Navy (exercising command from RFA FORT VICTORIA). During the course of deployment, ship remained primarily deployed for Baseline Counter Piracy Operations (BCP) south of International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) and established RMP, monitored traffic in AOO and conducted BMP queries of merchant ships transiting through GoA. Ship visited Jeddah(Saudi Arabia) from 15 to 18 Apr 12. PASSEX was also conducted with HMAS MAKKAH with embarked helicopter.