Article Posted on : - Jul 20, 2011

ISLAMABAD (PTI): Pakistan's Navy has inducted a guided missile frigate provided by the US into its fleet, besides commissioning two small tanker-cum-utility ships.

The frigate PNS Alamgir and the small tanker-cum-utility ships PN Madadgar and PN Rasadgar were commissioned and inducted during a ceremony at the Karachi naval dockyard Tuesday.

PNS Alamgir, which was formerly the USS McInerney, is an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate.

The warship was commissioned in the Pakistan Navy in August 2010, after which it underwent refurbishment and essential repairs in the US. It was formally inducted Tuesday by the Pakistani Navy.

It will augment maritime security operations capacity in the Arabian Sea and support Pakistan Navy's surface fleet, an official statement said.

Naval chief Admiral Noman Bashir, in his address, said the commissioning of the tankers-cum-utility vessels is a manifestation of the navy's commitment to self-reliance and indigenisation.

The Rasadgar and Madadgar were indigenously constructed by the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works.

The ships are designed and equipped for multi-faceted roles.