New Delhi: Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Taimur has reached the port of Colombo and will take part in a joint exercise with the Sri Lankan Navy in the western seas, according to Sri Lankan media.
As reported by News First, the 134-metre long Chinese-built warship PNS Taimur was commanded by Captain M. Yasir Tahir and is manned by 169 as a complement to the ship.
According to media reports, the ship is expected to remain in the island till August 15 and the ship’s crew will take part in several events organized by the Sri Lankan Navy to promote cooperation between the two navies.
According to the Global Times, in June this year, China delivered the second of four powerful Type 054A/P warships to the Pakistan Navy.
PNS Taimur is the second of four Type 054 A/P warships built by China for the Pakistan Navy. According to the Global Times, the first Type 054A/P frigate, PNS Tugril, joined the Pakistan Navy fleet in January.
According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Navy, as a technologically advanced and highly capable maritime asset, PNS Taimur possesses high-tech weapons and sensors, and latest warfare management and electronic warfare systems to fight in multi-threat environments.
Pakistan President Arif Alvi said that the Type 054A/Ps will not only serve to strengthen the security architecture of Pakistan’s maritime areas across the country’s maritime border, but will also help in the security of the sea routes of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
_IANS