On 20 December 2025, Türkiye formally handed over the second MILGEM-class corvette to the Pakistan Navy. The ship, named PNS Khaibar (F-282), was transferred at a ceremony held at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard in Turkiye, attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf. This handover marks a significant milestone in defence cooperation between the two countries and shows the growing strategic partnership in the naval field.

The MILGEM program for Pakistan is built on a contract signed in September 2018 between Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence Production and Turkish state defence company ASFAT A.S. under a long-term collaboration. The agreement calls for four Babur-class corvettes, a custom variant of Turkey’s MILGEM warship design, to be delivered to the Pakistan Navy.

PNS Khaibar is the second ship delivered from this program, following the first vessel, PNS Babur, which was handed over in May 2024. The remaining two corvettes, PNS Bedir and PNS Tarik, are currently being built at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) in Pakistan under the ongoing technology transfer plan. Those ships are expected to be completed and delivered by mid-2026 and early 2027.

What Is A MILGEM Corvette?

MILGEM (national ship) project is the local warship project in Turkey. The corvettes produced by Babur-class to Pakistan are on the same design but are customized to the demands of Islamabad. These corvettes which are multi-role surface combatants with about 108 metres in length and a displacement of approximately 3,000 tons are designed to execute a variety of activities in the sea.

The PNS Khaibar is propelled in a combined diesel and gas turbine (CODAG) which provides the vessel with a top speed of over 26 nautical miles, a range of approximately 3500 miles and a sailing endurance greater than two weeks without resupply.

These vessels have advanced fighting systems, radars and gunners. Some of these are the high-tech 3D air-search radars, coordinated and updated navigation radars, counter measures against torpedoes, and close in weapon systems which aid in the defense against small boats, aircraft and missiles. These systems combined with a modern combat management suite assist the crew to identify threats and then weapons are managed effectively.

Operational Capability And Trials

During the pre-handover phases, PNS Khaibar had the ability to live-fire and go through sea trials, which demonstrated that its weapon systems and sensor integration were effective. Navy testing reports also show that it hit direct surface, air and land targets, which confirms that it is ready to be deployed out to an actual operation.

Its combination of long range cruise missiles, surface to air missiles and main naval gun serves as the basis of its anti-surface and anti-air capabilities and anti-submarine warfare capability can be found in torpedo launchers and a helicopter flight deck. With these capabilities, PNS Khaibar is able to complement the mission capabilities of several tasks, including accompanying the fleet units, guarding sea routes, and countering other threats in the disputed waters.

Strategic And Defence Partnership

With PNS Khaibar's delivery Pakistan and Türkiye are taking their relationship to a new level which is not limited to traditional political friendship. At the handover ceremony, Erdoğan described the relationship between the countries as "brotherly ties" and emphasised the need to further collaborate in defence production. The naval leadership of Pakistan also pointed to the fact that the partnership should benefit Pakistan in achieving its overall maritime modernisation.

The MILGEM project is viewed by analysts as not just a mere arms sale. It has the transfer of technology and joint production to assist Pakistan in establishing the capacity of shipping at home. The intended construction of the two remaining corvettes in Karachi with Turkish assistance is aimed at enabling the Pakistani engineers and shipyards have some hands-on experience on the highly advanced naval design and manufacturing. In the long term, these skills would potentially be used in independent design and construction of warships of the future.

In the case of Turkey, the fact that the country exports MILGEM corvettes to Pakistan proves that Turkey is increasingly becoming a defence exporter. It enhances the status of Ankara in the international sea markets and demonstrates its capacity to provide sophisticated war navies comprising of complex weapons and sensor systems.

Importance For Pakistan Navy

In the case of Pakistan, the acquisition of modern, capable platforms in the form of PNS Khaibar and sister ships can be an addition to the fleet when regional navies are starting to invest in surface fighters to ensure that the sea lines of communication, maritime borders, and economic interests within countries are safeguarded. By using alternative sources of supply besides the conventional ones, Pakistan has not only improved its naval strength, but also made the country less dependent on an external supplier.

Their sophisticated sensors, as well as their flexible fighting systems, make the corvettes usefu in a variety of missions, such as deterrence, maritime security, and joint activities with friendly navies. Their eventual deployment as part of the greater fleet of Pakistan, having the support of submarines, frigates, and patrol vessels, will enhance Pakistan's maritime presence in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean region.

The new phase in defence relations between Pakistan and Türkiye was highlighted by the launch of PNS Khaibar when both nations enjoy the benefits of mutual technology, industrialization, and strategic vision. Since Pakistan is assembling the last two of the MILGEM corvettes in Pakistan, the program is worthy of emulation in the South-South defence in the maritime arena.

(The author is a Pakistan-based geopolitical analyst and opinion writer. Views expressed are personal. She can be contacted at nimrakhalil2024@gmail.com )