PNS Azmat Class - Fast Attack Missile Craft | Updates & Discussions.

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

PNS Azmat Class - Fast Attack Missile Craft | Updates & Discussions.​

Credit HAIDER -

• Sep 23, 2011

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir was the Chief Guest at the launching ceremony of the 1st Fast Attack Craft (Missile) being built for Pakistan Navy here at Xingang Shipyard, Tianjin, China.

He said that the project of Fast Attack Craft (Missile) construction represents a quantum leap, not only in Defence Production in naval Sector of Pakistan, but also will meet the long standing operational requirement of Pakistan Navy for the Fast Attack Crafts.

AZMAT Class Fast Attack Craft (Missile) has a crew of 12 to 14 sailors which is less than half that of similar FAC(M). Each FAC(M) will cost of around $50 million each.

PNS AZMAT is speculated to be a 500-600 ton, 60-meter Fast Attack Craft (Missile) which will be equipped with eight C-802A/CSS-N-8 Saccade anti-ship missiles.

First Fast Attack Craft (Missile) will be called AZMAT FAC(M) and it is scheduled to be delivered to Pakistan Navy Fleet by April 2012. These ships will be known as AZMAT Class FAC(M)s in service with Pakistan Navy.

Chief of Naval Staff said that induction of Missile Crafts will supplement Pakistan Navys warfare capabilties He cherished the hard work put in by China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSOC) and Pakistan Navy team in realizing the construction of the ship in a short time.

Admiral Noman Bashir said, Pak-China relationship is unique and does not draw any parallel in the world. This relationship over the years has matured in all fields, particularly in defence. He said that production of the second Fast Attack Craft (Missile) in Pakistan will also be accomplished with the active help of our Chinese friends.

AZMAT Fast Attack Craft (Missile) is equipped with C802A Surface-to-Surface Anti-Ship Missiles which has a range of 180 kilometers. AZMAT FAC(M) uses latest stealthy features to avoide detection from long ranges. force. Admiral Noman Bashir said that AZMAT FAC(M) is equipped with the high tech weapons and sensors to preform extremely versatile missions.

When China says a ship is launched means is the ship is almost ready. This ship will be handed to Pakistani brothers half years later (April, 2012) as scheduled

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Credit - khanasifm - March 2020​

Variation between the initial design and adjustments

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Credit PakistanKaBeta -2019

Pakistan Navy's FAC(M)-4. Photo Source: Associated Press of Pakistan (APP)
Daily News
Nov 27, 2019 Bilal Khan -
PAKISTAN’S KSEW LAUNCHES FOURTH FAST ATTACK CRAFT (MISSILE)
ShareTweet

Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) launched the Pakistan Navy’s (PN) fourth Azmat-class fast attack craft (missile) – or FAC(M) – on 27 November 2019.

The launch comes after nearly three years of construction, with KSEW cutting FAC(M)-4’s steel in January 2017. In contrast, FAC(M)-3 (PNS Himmat) took 24 months from its steel-cutting ceremony to launch.

Unlike the three previous FAC(M)s, the PN had stated that FAC(M)-4 was “first indigenous design.” The Pakistan Ministry of Defence Production’s (MoDP) yearbook for 2017-2018 also stated that FAC(M)-4 was being built “without seeking foreign technical expertise.”

Thus, the longer construction period of FAC(M)-4 could be the result of KSEW trying to construct the ship without the main original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) technical documentation. Likewise, FAC(M)-4 also bears multiple differences in its superstructure compared to the preceding three ships.


Source: KSEW























KSEW’s illustration of FAC(M)-4 indicates that the PN will equip it along similar lines as FAC(M)-3, i.e., PNS Himmat, especially in terms of including the Harbah or Improved Harbah anti-ship cruising missile (ASCM).

FAC(M)-4’s specifications are as follows (source: KSEW):

• Length: 63 m
• Breadth: 8.8 m
• Draught: 2.46 m
• Displacement: 560 tons
• Maximum Speed: 30 knots
• Range: 1,000 nautical miles

FAC(M)-4 relies on combined diesel-and-diesel (CODAD) for propulsion. In addition to ASCMs (configured in a dual triple-cell system), the FAC(M)-4 will be equipped with a 25 mm gun, close-in-weapons-system (CIWS), and various sensors, including a surface search and tracking radar.

For More Information on the Pakistan Navy, Check Out:

• Pakistan’s New Supersonic Missiles Should Work From FACs
• Pakistan Navy Tests Dual Anti-Ship and Land-Attack Cruise Missile
• Analysis: Pakistan’s Type 054A/P Frigate Acquisition

Notes & Comments:

Pakistan’s efforts at constructing FAC(M)-4 with limited foreign support could be an indication of it looking at further indigenous ship design and shipbuilding efforts. Interestingly, in 2016 the PN reportedly issued a requirement for an additional four to six FACs. It could roll its localization drive with the follow-on order.

However, it would be advisable for the PN to look at evolving its FAC requirements. Though the FAC(M) is equipped with credible anti-ship and land-attack capabilities through the Harbah, other ship designers are incorporating anti-air warfare (AAW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities to their FACs.

For example, Fincantieri is offering its Falaj 2 FAC design (to the United Arab Emirates) with a dual triple-cell vertical launch system (VLS) loaded with MBDA MICA-VL SAMs (which offer a range of 20 km). Though the Falaj 2 adds AAW at the apparent cost of a lighter ASCM load (four missiles), the Falaj 2’s specifications are similar to the FAC(M), e.g., the displacement is 520 tons and length is 55 m.

Equipping FACs with SAMs could position them as short-range air defence (SHORAD) assets at sea, which could help dealing with intrusive drones or low-flying helicopters. It could potentially offer these FACs a measure of defensibility against oncoming ASCMs.

Ultimately, sub-600-ton FACs with complete multi-mission capabilities will become more common in the future. It could serve the PN well to consider those shifts (as it had with when configuring the MILGEM).

https://quwa.org/2019/11/27/pakistans-ksew-launches-fourth-fast-attack-craft-missile/