KARACHI: Completing its maiden voyage from Romania to Pakistan while making several noteworthy port visits and taking part in bilateral exercises with the navies of the countries it visited, the fourth Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) PNS Yamama arrived in Karachi on Saturday.

An impressive reception ceremony was held at PN Dockyard upon the ship`s arrival.

Speaking as the chief guest, PakistanFleet Commander Rear Admiral Abdul Munib highlighted that the addition of PNS Yamama in the PN fleet will signifi-cantly enhance the navy`s capability of safeguarding the maritime frontiers of Pakistan.He also emphasised that induction of such multipurpose state-of-the-art platforms will provide vital support to ongoing PN maritime security patrol in the Indian Ocean.

PNS Yamama is a multipurpose and highly agile medium sized Offshore Patrol Vessel equipped with a self protection and terminal defence system, state-of-the-art electronic warfare, anti-ship and anti-air warfare capabilities. It is the fourth vessel of OPV Batch II constructed and commissioned at Damen Shipyards, Galati, Romania.

It is capable of embarking a multi-role helicopter and can operate independently or as part of a task force for extended duration to execute a variety of missions.

The reception ceremony of PNS Yamama was attended by large number of PN officers and sailors.