According to information published by the Pakistani MoD on February 21, 2024, the Pakistan Navy celebrated the launch of its fourth Offshore Patrol Vessel, the PNS YAMAMA, at the Damen Shipyard in Galati, Romania.
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Yarmook class OPV PNS Yamama. (Picture source: Damen)
The Yarmook-class corvette is a series of corvettes operated by the Pakistan Navy, designed based on the Damen Group's Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) 1900 specifications.
These vessels serve the primary purpose of conducting sea patrol operations. They have a displacement of 2,300 tons and measure 91.3 meters in length, with a beam of 14.4 meters and a draught of 4 meters.
Their propulsion system includes a Combined Diesel or Diesel (CODAD) arrangement, powered by four Caterpillar 3516 diesel engines, enabling a top speed of 22 knots. The corvettes have a range of 6,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots and can sustain operations for up to 40 days without resupply.
The Yarmook-class is equipped to carry two rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) for additional operational flexibility. The crew complement is over 60 personnel, who manage the vessel's operations, including navigation, maintenance, and mission-specific tasks.
For surveillance and tracking, the corvettes are outfitted with MR-36A I-band Surface/Air Search and Track Radar, allowing them to monitor maritime and aerial activities effectively. They are also equipped with electronic warfare systems, including decoy flares and chaff launchers, to counter threats and enhance survivability.
The armament of the Yarmook-class includes a 30 mm Aselsan SMASH remote weapon station, two 12.7 mm Aselsan STAMP remote weapon stations, two 4-cell Harbah SSM launchers, and a 20 mm Phalanx Block 1B Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) for defense against various threats. These corvettes can accommodate one helicopter and one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), supported by a flight deck designed for aviation operations.
