On Saturday, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ambassador of Pakistan Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi jointly performed the “Welding Ceremony” of the third of the four MILGEM Ada class corvette for Pakistan Navy at a graceful ceremony in Istanbul.
Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Mustafa Şentop, Minister of National Defence of Turkey Hulusi Akar, Chief of Turkish General Staff General Yaşar Guler, Commander of Turkish Naval Forces Admiral Adnan Ozbal, and other dignitaries attended the ceremony that also included launching of 1st Turkish Navy Istanbul Class frigate.
President Erogan while addressing the guests at the ceremony said that Pakistan is our brotherly country with whom Turkey enjoys excellent relations. He underscored that the defence collaboration for the construction of MILGEM class warships is another milestone in Turkey-Pakistan defence ties. President Erdogan said both Pakistan and Turkey are living in difficult geographies and both countries are facing similar challenges. He highlighted that Turkey would continue to support friendly and allied countries in the defence field.
While referring to his last year’s Pakistan visit, President Erdogan said the two countries signed a Strategic Economic Framework that would provide the necessary institutional framework to further enhance bilateral ties.
All Turkish dignitaries who spoke at the ceremony hailed exemplary Pakistan-Turkey brotherly relations. They also reiterated Turkey’s support to Pakistan on the core issues of its national interest.
Later, President Erdogan, Ambassador Syrus Qazi and other dignitaries jointly performed the “Welding Ceremony” of the 3rd Milgem corvette.
Under the project, 4 corvettes are being built, two in Turkey and two in Pakistan. This prestigious project embodies transfer of technology as well as upgrade of Karachi Shipyard. Addition of the stealthy frigates to the Pakistan Navy would further augment its defence capabilities.
