A Turkish Naval Forces MILGEM (Milli Gemi/National Ship) corvette has arrived in Pakistan amid confirmation that Ankara is currently in talks with Karachi to jointly develop a similar platform for the Pakistan Navy.
The vessel, second-of-class TCG
Büyükada , arrived in the port of Karachi on 26 October where it will be engaging with personnel of the Pakistan Navy in various professional exchanges, according to the Pakistan Armed Forces Inter Service Public Relations directorate in a media release on the same day.
The corvette will also be taking part in an at-sea exercise with the Pakistan Navy, which will enhance interoperability between the two navies, said the directorate.
"The visit of TCG
Büyükada will further enhance the defence ties and maritime collaboration between the two brotherly countries", it added.
Büyükada was launched by Istanbul Naval Shipyard in 2011 and commissioned into the Turkish Naval Forces in September 2013. The 99 m platform's weapons include a 76 mm naval gun, four (two twin) 324 mm torpedo tubes, eight (two quadruple) launchers for anti-ship missiles, and the RIM-116 close-in weapon system.
The corvette can also accommodate a crew of 93, with spare berths for 13, and an S-70B Seahawk helicopter on its flight deck.
http://www.janes.com/article/64956/...es-in-pakistan-amid-talks-of-potential-export