Pakistan Navy Chronology of Important Event from 1947 to June 2012
1947
14 Aug 1947: Royal Pakistan Navy came in to Being. Rear Admiral James Wilfred Jefford was appointed as first Commander in Chief of Royal Pakistan Navy. Royal Pakistan Navy’s share of the ships at the time of partition comprised 4 sloops, 4 fleet minesweepers, 8 motor minesweepers and horbour defence launches.
1948
17 Jan 1948: All Ships of Royal Pakistan Navy (except minesweeper Malwa) left Bombay for Karachi on their transfer to Pakistan.
23 Jan 1948: First ever inspection of naval units was carried out by Governor General Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
14 Feb 1948: Royal Pakistan Navy frigates’ first cruise to Chittagong.
15 Apr 1948: Coastal Defence Battery ‘HMPS QASIM’ was established at Manora Island.
14 Aug 1948: British era names of ships changed to Pakistani ones in line with the aspirations of the peoples of Pakistan.
11 Sep 1948: On the sad demise of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Royal Pakistan Navy had the sad but profound privilege of providing gun carriage which carried his body from Governor General House to last resting place.
1949
01 Dec 1949: Mechanical Training Establishment (MTE) KARSAZ was established on Manora Island. Lt Cdr LJM Reed was appointed as 1st Commanding Officer of MTE KARSAZ.
30 Sep 1949: 1st of two destroyers HMPS Tippu Sultan (Ex-Onlow) was commissioned. 2nd ship was Tariq (Ex-Offa). The two ships were acquired from UK and formed 25th Destroyer Flotilla. They were commanded by Capt A R Khan and Capt S M Ahsan.
1952
05 Aug 1952: The Royal Pakistan Navy Torpedo Depot was formally inaugurated/ commissioned.
1953
31 Jan 1953: Rear Admiral HMS Choudhri became the first Pakistani Commander in Chief of Royal Pakistan Navy.
03 Mar 1953: First minesweeper was handed over to Royal Pakistan Navy (RPN) in Seattle, Washington USA and commissioned as Her Majesty Pakistan Ship MUHAFIZ.
1956
23 Mar 1956: Islamic Republic of Pakistan was proclaimed under the 1956 Constitution. The prefix `Royal’ was dropped and the service redesignated as Pakistan Navy short title “PN”. Jack and Pakistan flag replaced the Queen’s colour and the white ensign respectively. The order of precedence of the three services was changed from Navy, Army, Air Force to Army, Navy, Air Force.
1964
01 Jun 1964: Ex-USS Diablo (SS-479) Submarine was transferred and commissioned in PN as GHAZI.
1965
08 Sep 1965: Operation “Dwarka” was extended successfully in which Indian city of Dwarka was bombarded by PN Ships Alamgir, Jahangir, Khaibar, Babur, Badr, Shahjahan and Tippu Sultan.
1969
01 Dec 1969: The first of the Daphne type submarines HANGOR acquired by Pakistan Navy from France. It was commissioned on 01 December 1969 and arrived in Pakistan on 20th December 1970.
1970
12 Jan 1970: PN Submarine SHUSHUK was commissioned in Pakistan Navy at France.
30 Jan 1970: PN Establishment PESHAWAR was commissioned in Pakistan Navy.
05 Aug 1970: PN Submarine MANGRO was commissioned in Pakistan Navy at France.
16 Sep 1970: PNS TAIMUR was commissioned in Pakistan Navy.
16 Dec 1970: Pakistan Naval Academy (PNA) commissioned as PNS RAHBAR at Manora Island.
29 Dec 1970: PNS ABDOZE (shore establishment) was commissioned in Pakistan Navy as a logistics and technical base at PN Dockyard Karachi.
1971
22 Apr 1971: PNS RIFAQAT and SADAQAT (gunboats) were commissioned in Pakistan Navy.
09 Dec 1971: Pakistan Navy Submarine Hangor sank INS Khukri. Indian Navy suffered largest wartime casualty loosing 176 sailors and 18 officers including the Commanding Officer Capt. Mahendra Nath Mulla IN.
1972
24 Mar 1972: PNS LAHORE and QUETTA (fast patrol crafts) were commissioned.
Mar 1972: The post of Commander in Chief re-designated as Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).
19 May 1972: PNS MARDAN, SUKKUR (fast patrol crafts) were commissioned.
Apr 1972: PNS Tughril transferred to Pakistan Naval Academy as the Cadet training ship.
24 Nov 1972: PNS GILGIT and PISHIN (fast patrol crafts) were commissioned.
1973
1 Jan 1973: The first self refit of Submarine (PNS/M Hangor) in Pakistan commenced at PN Dockyard.
26 Feb 1973: PNS BAHAWALPUR and SEHWAN were commissioned.
Aug 1973: The first floating dock (FD-I) designed and constructed indigenously by PN Dockyard commissioned.
Oct 1973: Naval Headquarters shifted from Karachi to Islamabad.
Oct 1973: Repatriation of Naval PoWs from India commenced.
1974
18 Jan 1974: PNS KALAT and LARKANA (fast patrol boats) were commissioned.
15 Mar 1974: PN Establishment ZAFAR was commissioned at ISLAMABAD.
20 Jun 1974: PNS BANNU and SAHIWAL (fast patrol boats) were commissioned.
1975
26 Sep 1975: PNS Mehran commissioned as the Naval Operating Base for the Naval Air Arm of the Pakistan Navy.
28 Sep 1975: The first of the seven Westland Sea King helicopters acquired from UK, inducted into the service marking the introduction of naval aviation and rotary wing aircraft in the service and establishment of Triple Three (333) Squadron.
31 Oct 1975: The first of the four Atlantic LRMP aircraft acquired from France inducted into the service, marking the introduction of fixed wing aircraft in the Service and establishment of Two Nine (29) Squadron.
1976
4 Feb 1976: Maritime Headquarters (MHQ) with Ferranti 5070 computer assisted coastal surveillance system inaugurated at Clifton, Karachi and PNS Hiader commissioned as a depot for Maritime Headquarters.
14 Aug 1976: First ever mounting of Guard by PN cadets was conducted at Mazar-e-Quaid. The guard included 61 cadets including 04 Syrian cadets.
10 Nov 1976: PNS SIND and BALUSHISTAN (Submarine Chasers) were acquired from People’s Republic of China and commissioned in Pakistan Navy.
1977
17 Jan 1977: Daphne Type Submarine GHAZI (S-134), the second submarine of this name was commissioned on 17 January 1977. She joined the Pakistan Navy Submarine Force in April 1977.
1979
17 Feb 1979: The first of two AGOSTA class submarines (Hashmat and Hurmat) build by Dubegion, Normandie Nantes of France delivered to Pakistan Navy and commissioned as PN Submarine Hashmat (S- 136).
18 Mar 1979: The first test firing of an Exocet AM-39 Missile from a PN Seaking Helicopter carried out.
Nov 1979: The first of the series of “SEA-SPARK” Exercises held in the North Arabian Sea.
1980
17 Aug 1980: Submarine training centre established at PNS Bahadur.
30 Sep 1980: The first two of the six Gearing (FRAM I) Class destroyers (Tariq, Taimur, Tippu Sultan, Tughral, Alamgir, and Shahjhan) acquired from USA and commissioned as PNS Tippu Sultan and PNS Tughril.
1981
1 Jul 1981: PNS ABDOZ re-commissioned as a depot for the Submarine Service.
17 Aug 1981: Pakistan Navy Engineering College (PNEC) established and commissioned as PNS JAUHAR.
24 Sep 1981: Four HEGU class Fast Attack Craft (Missile) acquired from China and commissioned as Haibat, Jalalat, Jurrat, and Shujaat.
31 Dec 1981: Navigation and Direction (ND) School shifted from PNS Himalaya to a new training complex. This marked the beginning of a major re-organization of training activities in the Navy. All professional schools were shifted from PNS Himalaya to the new training complex (later commissioned as PNS Bahadur). PNS Himalaya retained the training of new entry sailors as primary function.
1982
17 Jan 1982: The first Fokker F-27 Aircraft acquired, leading to the formation of Two Seven (27) Squadron.
18 Feb 1982: The first test firing of SHANYU-I (SY-I) missile conducted.
24 Apr 1982: COUNTY Class DLG, former HMS London acquired from UK and commissioned as PNS Babur.
28 Aug 1982: Junior Cadet College (JCC) established in PNS BAHADUR Complex and commissioned as PNS REHNUMA.
1983
Jan 1983: Survey Vessel Behr Paima acquired from JAPAN and replaced PNS Zulfiqar for hydrographic duties.
1984
26 Apr 1984: Four HUANGFEN Class Fast Attack Craft (Missile Boats) acquired from China and commissioned as Pakistan Navy Ships Azmat, Deshat, Himmat, and Quwwat.
5 Nov 1984: The first of the two PN coastal oil tankers (Gwadar, and Kalmat) commissioned.
1986
9 Apr 1986: PNS Bahadur commissioned as the main professional training center for seamen branch personnel. It houses the Surface Warfare, Naval Warfare and Operations, Communications, Hydrography, Electronic Warfare, Instructional Techniques and Music Schools.
30 Jul 1986: Five FUTI class inshore minesweepers acquired from China and commissioned into the Service.
17 Dec 1986: Installation of Vulcan Phallanx Close-In-Weapon-System (CIWS), Harpoon Missile System and Argos ESM suit commenced on the Gearing Class Destroyers (PNS Tughril, Taimur, Alamgir).
1987
1 Jan 1987: The Maritime Security Agency (MSA) established.
29 Jun 1987: Rolling out ceremony marking the completion of the first major repair/refit (V-3) of Atlantic Long Range Maritime Patrol (LRMP) Aircraft in Pakistan held at PNS MEHRAN.
31 Jul 1987: PNS AKRAM, the first naval establishment on Makran coast, commissioned as a depot for naval detachments at Gwadar.
1 Aug 1987: Fuging class Under Way replenishment Tanker acquired from China and commissioned as PNS NASR.
11 Aug 1987: Naval Tactical School recommissioned after modernization with computerized Action Speed Tactical Trainer(ASTT).
18 Oct 1987: The first test firing of a submarine launched Missile successfully conducted from PN Submarine SHUSHUK.
26 Nov 1987: Remote Data Station (RDS) Mianwali inaugurated as a depot for naval detachments at Ormara.
26 Dec 1987: The first X-Craft constructed indigenously by PN Dockyard launched.
1988
10 Jul 1988: Fleet Mess inaugurated at PNS Haider.
6 Aug 1988: Pakistan Navy Engineering College (PNEC) commenced conducting Post Graduate courses.
23 Oct 1988: PNS MAKRAN (Coastal unit) was commissioned in PN.
1989
31 Jan 1989: The first two of the eight Brooke/ Garcia class frigates acquired on lease from USA commissioned as PNS Badr and PNS Saif. All eight ships were returned to USA on completion of their lease in 1993-94.
February 1989: PNS ASLAT and KHAIBAR were commissioned. Ships were returned to USA in 1994.
31 Mar 1989: PNS HARBAH and TABUK were commissioned. Ships were returned to USA in 1994.
21 May 1989: The first firing of Exocet 39 missile from an Atlantic LRMP aircraft carried out.
May 1989: PNS HUNAIN and SIQQAT were commissioned. Ships were returned to USA in 1994.
1990
20 Jan 1990: Vulcan class Repair Ship, former USS Hector acquired on lease from USA and commissioned as PNS Moawin. Ship was returned to USA in 1994.
25 Nov 1990: Marine Battalion formed, PNS Qasim re-commissioned at Manora Island as a base for Pak Marines.
1991
15 Jan 1991: Navy Ensign hoisted at Jinnah Station established in the Antarctica.
13 Oct 1991: PNS AHSAN (Coastal unit) was commissioned in PN.
1992
19 Aug 1992: Small Oil Tanker PNS KALMAT was commissioned in PN.
12 Sep 1992: Missile Depot commissioned as PNS Aatish at Mauripur.
26 Oct 1992: The first of three Eridan class mine hunters (Munsif, Muhafiz, and Mujahid). French Navy Ship (FNS Sagittaire) acquired from France and commissioned as PNS Musif.
1993
28 Jan 1993: PN Ships Dacca, Moawin, and Tughril transported Pakistan Armed Forces contingent, heavy equipment, vehicles and Stores to Mogadishu, Somalia for participation in UN relief operations at Somalia.
28 Jul 1993: The first of the six Type-21 frigates PNS TARIQ (Babur, Badr, Khaibar, Tippu Sultan and Shahjahan) acquired from UK commissioned as PNS Tariq.
13 Sep 1993: PNS BABUR (Type-21) Ship was commissioned in PN.
26 Dec 1993: Electronic Warfare School established at PNS Bahadur.
1994
01 Mar 1994: PNS BADR and KHAIBAR (Type-21) Ships were commissioned in PN.
06 Jun 1994: PNS LARKANA (fast patrol boat) was commissioned in PN.
28 July 1994: PNS MOAWIN (Oil Tanker) was commissioned in PN.
23 Sep 1994
NS TIPPU SULTAN and SHAHJAHAN (Type-21) Ships were commissioned in PN.
20 Oct 1994: PNS RAHAT (Hospital) was commissioned in PN.
1995
August 1995: PN War College was established in Lahore.
1996
15 Apr 1996: PNS MUHAFIZ (Minehunter) was commissioned in PN.
08 Jun 1996: PN Establishment PUNJAB was commissioned at LAHORE.
1997
21 Apr 1997: PNS RAZA (Logistics store depot of Pakistan Naval Aviation) was commissioned in PN.
14 Aug 1997: PNS JALALAT-II was commissioned in PN.
1998
09 July 1998: PNS MUJAHID (Minehunter) was commissioned in PN.
1999
30 Sep 1999: PNS SHUJAAT was commissioned in PN.
21 Dec 1999: First of Agosta 90B submarines PNS/M Khalid (S137) built in France by DCN Cherbourg was commissioned
2003
12 Dec 2003: PN Submarine (Agosta 90B) SAAD was commissioned.
2004
24 Apr 2004: Pakistan Navy participated first time in counter-terrorism efforts of US-led Coalition called Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan (CMCP) in maritime domain.
26 Sep 2004: Indigenously constructed Agosta 90B PN submarine HAMZA was commissioned in PN.
2006
24 Mar 2006: First ever taking over of Command of Multinational Task Force-150 by Pakistan Navy at Bahrain.
24 Oct 2006: Joint Forces Display was held at PNS QASIM on 24 November 2006.
18 Nov 2006: Sea Air Land (SEAL) Group Base Camp of Navy Seals (Naval Commandoes) at NATHIAGALI was established.
Nov 2006: Demonstration of Static Line, MFF Para water jumps and McGuire operation were conducted in Joint Forces Display in IDEAS 2006. It was the first time in history that Joint Forces Display (JFD) was conducted by Pakistan Navy.
24 Nov 2006: Joint Forces Display (JFD) was held at PNS QASIM under PN arrangements.
2007
5 March 2007: Exercise AMAN 07 was held from 5-13 March 2007 to combat Piracy, terrorism, and illegal use of the sea in the Indian-Pacific region. Navies of 28 Countries across the globle participated.
04 Mar 2007: National Centre of Maritime Policy Research (NCMPR) under the aegis of Bahria University organized its first International Conference on Maritime Threats and Opportunities in the 21st Century from 04 to 06 March 2007.
22 Mar 2007: The joint survey of Sir Creek by Pakistani and Indian survey teams was conducted from 17 to 22 March 2007. During survey, Pak Marines were assigned the responsibility to provide security and logistic support to Pakistan’s team involved in border survey. Total 90 points along the disputed border were surveyed and data was compiled.
2009
Jan 2009: Launching of 1st Small Tanker Cum-Utility Ship.
Feb 2009: Bahria University Launches Medical and Dental College.
Feb 2009: Commissioning of T-56 Engine Test Bench.
Mar 2009: Launching ceremony of 2nd Small Tanker Cum Utility Ship (STUS) was held at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works. Chief of the Naval Staff graced the occasion as chief guest.
30 Jul 2009: Commissioning of First F-22P Ship (PNS ZULFIQUAR)
19 Sep 2009: Induction Ceremony of PNS ZULFIQUAR at PN Dockyard. Chairman joint Chiefs of Staff Committee graced the occasion as chief guest.
Oct 2009: Z9EC Anti Submarine Helicopters Join Naval Fleet. Induction ceremony was held at Naval Aviation Base. CNS Admiral Noman Bashir was the Chief guest on the occasion.
19 Dec 2009: Second Sword class frigate F-22P built in People’s Republic of China, PNS SHAMSHEER was commissioned in Pakistan Navy.
2010
01 Jun 2010: Two P3C Orion aircraft were transferred from USA and commissioned in Pakistan Navy.
03 Jun 2010:Inaugurated PCB fabrication Facility at NPEC Karachi by Admiral Noman Bashir Chief of Naval Staff.
14 Jul 2010: The renovated and upgraded PNCL was inaugurated by Admiral Noman Bashir, Chief of the Naval Staff.
14 Jul 2010: Inauguration of Textile Leather & Print testing lab at CINS by Admiral Noman Bashir, Chief of the Naval Staff.
31 Aug 2010: PNS ALAMGIR Commissioned at USA.
15 Sep 2010: PNS SAIF 3rd F-22P Frigate Commissioned.
2011
Jan 2011: Pakistan Navy inducted an exclusive training ship PNS RAHNAWARD in PN fleet. The ship has been acquired for training of cadets and sailors.
Jan 2011: Pakistan Navy successfully tested its Air Defence capability in Somiani.
Feb 2011: Inauguration of newly constructed building of HQs PMSA located at Dockyard near Karachi Fish Harbour by Admiral Noman Bashir, Chief of the Naval Staff.
4 April 2011: The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir laid the foundation of the Allied Academic Block of Pakistan Navy War College, at Naval Complex Walton, Lahore on 4 April 2011.
23 May 2011: Terrorist attack on PNS MEHRAN. Two P3C Orion air crafts were destroyed.
June 2011: 4th F-22P Frigate (Designate PNS ASLAT) was launched at Karachi shipyard & Engineering works by Admiral Noman Bashir Chief of the Naval Staff.
19 July 2011: PN Ships MADADGAR and RASADGAR; the small Tanker Cum Utility Ships (STUS), have been commissioned and PNS ALAMGIR has been formally inducted in Pakistan Navy Fleet during an impressive ceremony held at Pakistan Navy Dockyard. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir graced the occasion as chief guest.
21 July 2011: Pakistan Navy Inducts first Squadron of Drones.
2012
23 Apr 2012: Pakistan Navy Commissioned 1st Fast Attack Craft (Missile) PNS Azmat.
19 May 2012: Inauguration of HQ Naval Strategic Force Command (NSFC) by Admiral Asif Sandila, Chief of the Naval Staff.