PNS Azmat

PNS Azmat is the lead ship of the Azmat-class missile boats of the Pakistan Navy based on the Chinese Type 037II Houjian-class.[1] Azmat was commissioned on 24 April 2012 at Tianjin, China[2][3] after being launched on 20 September 2011.[4] It has the pennant number 1013.

PNS Azmat (1013)

PNS Azmat
History
Pakistan
Name:	Azmat
Builder:	China State Shipbuilding Corporation, Xingang
Launched:	20 September 2011
Commissioned:	24 April 2012
Status:	active
General characteristics
Class and type:	FAC(M)
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 dual guns 1 × AK-630 CIWS Missiles 2 × 4-cell C-802A SSM launchers

Design

PNS Azmat FAC(M) 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-802A 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, which 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.

References

1. "Pakistan commissions third Azmat-class patrol vessel | Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
2. "Sino-Pak defence cooperation: Pakistan Navy inducts first fast attack craft". The Express Tribune. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
3. "Stealth missile naval craft inducted". Dawn. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
4. "Navy Fast Attack Craft launched". The News. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2012.