Article Posted on : - Jan 24, 2013

An unrelated file photo.

ISLAMABAD (BNS): Pakistan has signed a deal with Turkey for the construction of a fleet tanker (logistic support ship) for its Navy.

Under the contract, inked between the Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP), Pakistan and M/s STM of Turkey on Jan 22 at Rawalpindi, the Turkish firm M/s STM will design of the ship along with kit of material (KoM) while the complete construction/assembly activities will be undertaken at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works Ltd (KS&EW).

The KS&EW is already constructing ships/craft for the Pak Navy, and this is the first time that the shipyard will build a fleet tanker at its facilities, an official statement from Pakistan said.

The tanker with its modern design and state of the art capabilities will significantly enhance the Navy's fleet combat prowess and logistic stamina, it added.

Pakistan and Turkey have remained long-standing partners in the area of military cooperation. Ankara has offered its military hardware, including combat vehicles, naval vessels and unmanned aerial vehicles to Islamabad along with assistance in manufacturing the systems.