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why is everyone assuming they wont recieve turk ciws- im pretty confident they wont recieve phalanx and will recieve turkish ciws or could possibly even be fitted with ram. perhaps a delay in ciws prod means they will fit at karachi to prevent delays.
Congratulations,I watched a very impressive video this morning,that my Pakistani friend sent to me on FB. It's nice to see the PN getting new ships.Skip to contentSkip to footer
PNS Babur: Pakistan’s New Corvette Sets Sail for Home
PAKISTAN NAVY NEWS QUWA PREMIUM QUWA PREMIUM EXCEPT by Bilal Khan 2 days ago
Bilal Khan
ASFAT A.S. (Military Factory and Shipyard Management) announced that the Pakistan Navy’s (PN) lead MILGEM corvette – PNS Babur – has set sail to join the PN fleet. PNS Babur was launched from Istanbul Naval Shipyard (INSY) for sea trials in August 2021. It was originally scheduled for delivery in 2023. INSY had cut the ship’s steel in September 2019.
Background of the PN MILGEM Program
Pakistan signed the deal to acquire four MILGEM corvettes in 2018. The principal contractor was ASFAT A.S., which agreed to delegate work to Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW). INSY built two of the ships (PNS Babur and PNS Khyber), while KSEW constructed the remaining pair (PNS Badr and PNS Tariq). In addition, Pakistan contracted ASFAT A.S. to assist the Naval Research and Development Institute (NRDI) in designing an original frigate for the PN – i.e., the AS3400 or Jinnah-class frigate.
The Babur-class corvette is a custom variant of the Ada-class corvette. In comparison to the latter, the Babur-class is heavier with a displacement of 2,888 tons and longer with a hull length of 108.8 m. The extra space enables the corvette to carry the MBDA Albatros-NG, a medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) split across a 12-cell vertical launch system (VLS). The Albatros-NG provides the Babur-class with a credible anti-air warfare (AAW) system, perhaps the most effective AAW system in the PN’s fleet.
In addition, the PN is also fitting the Babur-class corvette with a domestic anti-ship missile (AShM) – either the Harbah subsonic-cruising missile, CM-302 supersonic-cruising missile, or the P282 anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM). It is also equipped with a standard-fare dual triple-cell lightweight torpedo (LWT) system for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations.
Nucleus of Near-Shore A2/AD Operations
The multi-mission-capable Babur-class corvette is more capable than most of the PN’s surface warships, especially in terms of AAW. However, it is one piece of the PN’s wider modernization roadmap, which also includes larger ships, such as the Tughril-class and Jinnah-class frigates. In addition to the offshore patrol boats (OPV) being acquired from the Netherlands’ Damen Group, the new frigates will likely be deployed to support the PN’s open water needs, such as sea control, sea policing, and patrolling sea lanes.
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I cant see RAM being available from a political perspective. It was my understanding that future RAM sales were restricted even to Turkey after the CAATSA sanctions and I think, while Pakistan doesnt face any similar sanctions, going by the inability to get re-export clearances for T-129 it is far less likely that they could acquire RAM.I am assuming it because F-280 left Turkey without it. While all other weapons were integrated already except for the SSMs. like main gun, SAMs, Smash guns.
So that's the only reason which made me assume it, otherwise I was expecting it to be fitted with Turkish CIWS like in istanbul class.
I was also thinking on apparently an unlikely choice that's type 1130 CIWS (not sure, even if its possible at first place, though it has independent radars so perhaps shouldn't be a prob.) Its China's latest gen CIWS, one of the fastest gun based CIWS currenly with 11K rpm. However, if RAM is available to PN then most obvious choice would be that one.
Will the Albatross NG (CAMM-ER) missiles be quad packed or will they be based in solo tubes as on the Type 23 frigate upgrades?
Furthermore, does the PN intend to put the Albatross-NG on the F-22P frigates as well or is there a Chinese equivalent planned for the mid-life update?
How many Albatross-NG missiles are the Babur Corvettes expected to carry?
As said 12 missiles in single cells. Among other issues is the fact that CAMM-ER is only cleared for quadpack on Mk41 and Sylver A50/A70. Neither are likely to be approved for PN. But future approval could potentially be arranged of MLDAS if PN has sense. They could likely get 8 cells (4 and 4) in place of the current 12 cells of GWS.26 (6 and 6). The 8 cells would allow for quadpack for 32 missiles.Will the Albatross NG (CAMM-ER) missiles be quad packed or will they be based in solo tubes as on the Type 23 frigate upgrades?
Furthermore, does the PN intend to put the Albatross-NG on the F-22P frigates as well or is there a Chinese equivalent planned for the mid-life update?
How many Albatross-NG missiles are the Babur Corvettes expected to carry?
Indeed 12 isn’t enough. 32 would be a considerable defense. Hopefully Pakistan works with Türkiye to fit their domestic VLS system. Temporary employment of the single tubes will be a necessity, but Pakistan needs a system that can intercept at least swarms of Mach 3 threats effectively as well as low RCS threats. Camm-er with its 50 km range and Mach 4 speed should be decent at dealing with the threat. In the mean time, Pakistan should be working with China to improve the HQ-16FE. Improving the actual missile to achieve the kind of maneuverability and dual life seeker head (active radar seeker and IR seeker) to engage threats before they are able to launch their missiles at our ships. The goal should be to match the performance of the Aster 30.As said 12 missiles in single cells. Among other issues is the fact that CAMM-ER is only cleared for quadpack on Mk41 and Sylver A50/A70. Neither are likely to be approved for PN. But future approval could potentially be arranged of MLDAS if PN has sense. They could likely get 8 cells (4 and 4) in place of the current 12 cells of GWS.26 (6 and 6). The 8 cells would allow for quadpack for 32 missiles.