PNS Azmat

PNS Azmat (1013)
PNS Azmat
History
Pakistan
Name: Azmat
Builder: Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works, Karachi
Launched: 20 September 2011
Commissioned: 24 April 2012
Status: active
General characteristics
Class and type: Fast attack craft
Displacement: 560 tons
Length: 206 ft 7 in (62.97 m)
Beam: 28 ft 9 in (8.76 m)
Speed: 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Range: approximately 1,000 nmi (1,900 km; 1,200 mi)
Complement: 12-14
Armament:
  • Guns
  • 1 × 23 mm automatic gun
  • 1 × AK-630 CIWS
  • Missiles
  • 2 × 4 cell C-802 SSM anti-ship missiles

PNS Azmat is the lead ship of the Azmat class fast attack crafts of the Pakistan Navy. Azmat was commissioned on 24 April 2012 at Tianjin, China[1][2] after being launched on 20 September 2011.[3] It has the pennant number 1013.

Design

PNS Azmat is considered by many as a stealth boat, due to its hull and design, even though it was not designed that way. The small fast attack craft is a green water vessel and does not have blue water capabilities, and so it is mostly used to patrol the coast, and to assist the Coast Guard in any special operations that require extensive firepower.

Armament

PNS Azmat is equipped with eight C-802 anti-ship cruise missiles, carried in two quadruple missile containers. The vessel uses a fully automatic 23 mm gun. The decision to install the 23 mm gun was due to lack of hull space meant less storage area for 75-100 mm rounds required for larger guns and weight requirements. Also a 23 mm gun is much easier to maintain than larger 75 mm to 100 mm guns. For its defensive capabilities, Azmat uses a CIWS. Also, the boats speed itself is also considered as a defense system, as it can outmaneuver older, less maneuverable anti-ship missiles.

References

  1. ↑ "Sino-Pak defence cooperation: Pakistan Navy inducts first fast attack craft". The Express Tribune. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  2. ↑ "Stealth missile naval craft inducted". Dawn. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  3. ↑ "Navy Fast Attack Craft launched". The News. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
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