Pakistan Navy takes delivery of multi-mission Offshore Patrol Vessel Hunain
The OPV 2600 class has been built to withstand rough seas and is modular so it can tackle a wide range of missions. (Image: Damen Shipyards)
The Hunain is the first OPV 2600 in the Pakistan Navy’s fleet and will be used across a range of coastal defence roles.
The Pakistan Navy has taken delivery of its first Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) 2600, named PNS Hunain. The Hunain is the third OPV in the Navy’s arsenal, but the first of the 2600 class.
The OPV 2600 is the largest member of four new second-generation offshore patrol vessels designed by Damen Shipyards in Romania. Displacing 2600 tons, it has been designed to be multi-mission capable, rather than a specialist vessel. In the Pakistan Navy, it will support missions including border surveillance, counterpiracy and anti-smuggling operations, as well as an ongoing campaign against drug and weapons trafficking.
Despite a top speed of 24 knots, the OPV 2600 can operate in World Meteorological Organization sea state 6 (defined as “very rough”), and can even survive sailing at sea state 9 (defined as “phenomenal” and with waves over 46 feet (16 meters)). It can do that thanks to its active fin stabilising system.
The OPV 2600 is armed with a main gun of up to 76mm on the ship’s bow deck and two 20mm guns as secondary weapons. Its sensor suite includes a medium-range surveillance radar and an E/O fire control sensor. It has a helicopter deck and suitable hangars, meaning it will not only be capable of running helicopter missions, but will be expected to do so as a fundamental part of its operating life.
The multi-mission capabilities of the OPV 2600 will be supported by up to five containerized mission modules, with potential for five more. That means the OPV 2600 can be fitted for duties as an anti-submarine vessel, mine countermeasures patrol, unmanned aerial vehicle or surface vehicle platform and floating hospital. The modular options of the OPV 2600 means by adding the right modules and equipping the vessel with mission-capable staff, the core vessel can be transformed into a mission-specialist vessel relatively quickly.
The Pakistan Navy’s newest OPV was delivered at a ceremony at the Port of Constanța in late July 2024.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Netherlands ties Naval Group into Walrus submarine replacement]()
Netherlands ties Naval Group into Walrus submarine replacement
The new submarines have been scheduled for delivered from the 2030s onwards.
-
![Airbus and Rohde & Schwarz boost Royal Navy connectivity]()
Airbus and Rohde & Schwarz boost Royal Navy connectivity
A Memorandum of Understanding between the companies is aimed at increasing communications resilience for the fleet.
-
![US Navy commissions the last San Antonio-class Flight I vessel]()
US Navy commissions the last San Antonio-class Flight I vessel
Equipped with the capabilities of the other San Antonio Class ships, the USS Richard M. McCool (LPD 29) incorporated additional lessons learned in its design.
-
![Exail selected to enhance navigation capabilities of the French Navy’s OPV]()
Exail selected to enhance navigation capabilities of the French Navy’s OPV
Naval Group has selected the high-tech industrial group to provide its Phins Inertial Navigation Systems and Netans Data Distribution Units to French OPVs.
-
![Elbit upgrades Seagull USV with drones and loitering weapon systems]()
Elbit upgrades Seagull USV with drones and loitering weapon systems
With demand for USVs high, Elbit has added more capabilities to its fully autonomous vessel.
-
![Saab to build Singapore’s MRCV composite superstructure as it seeks portfolio expansion]()
Saab to build Singapore’s MRCV composite superstructure as it seeks portfolio expansion
Saab, who has been looking to expand its presence in Singapore, will build the forward superstructure and the radar mast of the Multi Role Combat Vessel with carbon composite material.
