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Pakistan's PNS Khaibar corvette, the second vessel built under the PN MILGEM Project, successfully completed live-firing tests, demonstrating technological maturity, successful integration, and operational reliability, with accurate hits on multiple targets.
The PNS Khaibar conducted live-fire operations against surface, land, and air targets, achieving direct hits with complete accuracy.
The corvette demonstrated its combat capabilities through precise targeting with both primary and secondary weapon systems.
During land bombardment, the PNS Khaibar struck its target dead center with the 76-millimeter main gun. The vessel repeated this accuracy achievement using the STOP 25-millimeter remote-controlled stabilized gun system, confirming the effectiveness of its integrated weapon suite.
According to a statement released by ASFAT on Oct. 23, "The live firing tests of PNS Khaibar, the second Corvette of Pakistan MILGEM Project, have been successfully completed."
The firing test results for PNS Khaibar demonstrated technological maturity, integration success, and operational reliability for such a comprehensive naval platform project as the PN MILGEM.
The second vessel's successful live fire operations follow the completion of firing tests by the project's first ship, PNS Babur, which finished its tests in April 2024. Following a ceremony held the following month, PNS Babur was added to the Pakistan Navy inventory.
After completion of operations to be conducted with the Turkish Navy, PNS Khaibar will transfer to Karachi.
Under the PN MILGEM Project framework, Türkiye and Pakistan are executing work aligned with a contract signed in 2020 for the construction of four MILGEM-class corvettes and the delivery of combat systems.
ASFAT serves as the prime contractor for the project, with two vessels being produced by Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command and two by Karachi KSEW Shipyard.
Havelsan performs primary integration responsibilities while providing the ADVENT Combat Management System and the FLEETSTAR Ship Data Distribution System.
The PNS Khaibar is equipped with a 76-millimeter main gun capable of striking targets with precision accuracy.
The vessel's secondary armament includes the STOP 25-millimeter remote-controlled, stabilized gun system, which both demonstrated accurate engagement during live-firing tests.
The integration of Turkish-supplied combat management and data distribution systems with Pakistani naval requirements represents a significant achievement in the collaborative defense manufacturing effort between the two nations.
The third vessel under the PN MILGEM Project, PNS Badr, is undergoing final preparations at Karachi KSEW Shipyard. The vessel's first sea trial is scheduled for December 2026, with harbor acceptance tests to follow.
The fourth and final vessel of the project, PNS Tariq, is under construction at KSEW Shipyard. Testing of this vessel is expected to begin by the end of 2026.
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