PNS Moawin (A39)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Moawin in Karachi
History
Pakistan
NamePNS Moawin
Builder
Laid down7 March 2014
Launched19 August 2016
Acquired17 September 2016
Commissioned16 October 2018
HomeportKarachi Naval Dockyard
IdentificationA39
StatusIn current service
General characteristics
Class and typeReplenishment oiler
Displacement17,000 long tons (17,000 t) full load
Length158.4 m (519 ft 8 in)
Beam22 m (72 ft 2 in)
Draught
  • 6.85 m (22 ft 6 in)
  • 10.5 m (34 ft)
Installed power4 × diesel generators producing: 1,000 kVA each.
Propulsion2 × two diesel engine: 6,000 kW (8,046 hp) (each)
Speed20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Range12,000 miles (19,000 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Endurance90 days
Complement228 (20 officers, 208 enlisted)
Armament
Aircraft carried2 × Sea King Mk. 45 2 × Harbin Z-9
Aviation facilitiesHangar and flight deck

PNS Moawin (A39), is a fleet replenishment tanker currently in service with the Pakistan Navy. Designed by the Turkish firm, STM, she was built and constructed by the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works in Karachi, Pakistan.[1] Moawin is noted for its displacement, being the largest warship ever built in Pakistan.[2][3]

According to the Pakistan military, Moawin provides fuel, water, and ammunition to Pakistan military's combat and auxiliary units as it is also equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities to support the Pakistan Navy during war and disaster relief missions.[4]

PNS Moawin was deployed in the Red sea because of the attacks made on international ships and vessels by the Houthi Rebels of Yemen Starting from late 2023 , following the Isarel - Hamas war . PNS Moawin is deployed for oil replenishment of PNS Aslat and PNS shamsheer. In December 2023 , the rebels also claimed an attack on a Pakistan-bound ship from Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. The Pakistani navy said the main purpose of the patrol is to ensure the safety of Pakistani and international merchant ships, adding that its warships always patrol the Arabian Sea to ensure its “constant presence.”[5][6]

Brief overview[edit]

On 22 January 2013, the Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) signed a contract with the Turkish company STM to design the ship in Turkey together with providing a Kit of Materials to Pakistan, while the engineering construction, outfitting, and sea trials were to be undertaken by Karachi Shipyard in Pakistan.[7][8] Steel cutting started on 27 November 2013 before the keel was laid down in Karachi on 7 March 2014. She was launched on 19 August 2016[7] in a ceremony attended by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.[9] Moawin was commissioned by President Arif Alvi on 16 October 2018.[10]

Moawin is designed to provide the Navy's auxiliary support including refuelling and replenishing naval warships.[10] PNS Moawin is armed with two Aselsan STOP remote weapon stations.[11]

Construction design and propulsion[edit]

Moawin has an overall length of 158.4 m (519 ft 8 in), a beam of 22 m (72 ft 2 in) and a draught of 6.85 m (22 ft 6 in).[1] The ship displaces about 17,000 tonnes (17,000 long tons; 19,000 short tons) at full load.[1] The complement is about 228, including 20 officers & 208 enlisted.[1]

The ship is powered by two diesel engines providing a total power of 12 MW (16,000 hp), allowing the ship to reach a maximum speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) and an endurance of 10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km; 12,000 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).[1] The fleet tanker can autonomously endure at sea for a period of 90 days.[1]

The vessel complies with the latest International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and marine pollution (MARPOL) regulations.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "PN Fleet Tanker - Naval Technology". Naval Technology.
  2. ^ "PN Fleet Tanker (PNFT) is the biggest warship ever built in Pakistan to date. Image courtesy of Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited". 1 - Naval Technology. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  3. ^ "PM to attend launching ceremony of PN Fleet Tanker in Karachi on Friday". Associate Press of Pakistan. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Pakistan Navy Commissions Fleet Tanker PNS Moawin….. A Quantum Leap Towards Indigenization And A Beacon of Pakistan-Turkey Friendship". www.ispr.gov.pk. Karachi Naval Dockyard: Inter Services Public Relations. 16 October 2018. p. 1. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Pakistan deploys warships in Arabian Sea following recent Houthi attacks".
  6. ^ "Pakistan deploys warships in Arabian Sea following 'maritime incidents'".
  7. ^ a b "PN Fleet Tanker". www.karachishipyard.com.pk. Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  8. ^ Ali, Mohammad (5 December 2014). "PAKISTAN Turkish firm to develop oil tanker at Karachi Shipyard". Business Recorder. Business Recorder. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  9. ^ Delrieu, Pierre (7 July 2017). "Pakistan's Navy Launches New Oiler - Asian Military Review". Asian Military Review. Asian Military Review. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  10. ^ a b "Navy commissions indigenously built 17,000-tonne fleet tanker". Dawn. Karachi: Dawn Newspaper. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018. (PNS Moawin is the biggest warship ever constructed at Karachi Shipyard.)
  11. ^ "https://twitter.com/TheFatimaZainab/status/1638866126410067968?s=20". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-03-23. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)

External links[edit]