The Pakistan Navy has officially commissioned its new Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), PNS YAMAMA, at Constanta Port in Romania. Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi, Commander Karachi, attended the ceremony as the chief guest. He handed over the command of the ship to its commanding officer through a traditional Command Scroll.

The event was also attended by Rear Admiral Marian Ciobotaru, Deputy Fleet Commander of the Romanian Navy, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Romania, Arshad Jaan Pathan.

In his speech, Vice Admiral Abbasi highlighted the importance of the PNS YAMAMA for the Pakistan Navy. He noted that the ship enhances the Navy’s operational capabilities and will play a key role in safeguarding Pakistan’s maritime interests. He also praised the efforts of DAMEN Shipyards, the company that built the ship, and expressed hope for future collaborations to bring more advanced technology to the Navy.

PNS YAMAMA is the last ship in the OPV Batch II series, built by DAMEN Shipyards in Galati, Romania. It is a modern, medium-sized vessel equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems and weapons for anti-ship and anti-air missions. It can carry a multi-role helicopter and perform a wide range of operations independently or as part of a task force.

The ship’s commissioning marks a step forward in strengthening the Navy’s capabilities. Earlier this year, the Navy inducted the first ship of the OPV Batch II series on 6 September 2024.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from Pakistan, Romania, and the Netherlands, along with members of the Pakistani community.