Pakistan Navy has achieved another milestone in defence capability by introducing a 'Hovercraft' and 'military assault boat' into its marine force. A ceremony to mark this occasion was held at PNS Himalaya here at Manora Island on Saturday morning. The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Shahid Karimullah, was the chief guest.
The Navy chief said that Pak Marines, since their inception, have striven very hard to earn a mark of success, and undoubtedly this force has all the potential to grow.
The Admiral said that Oak Marines had proved their worth by active participation in internal security as well as safeguarding external security imperatives.
He said that the induction of these state-of-the-art crafts was a quantum leap in Pak Marines equipment inventory.
Adm Karimullah urged the Marines to operate and maintain the highly sophisticated platforms efficiently and validate the operational concepts in order to derive optimal operational benefits.
He urged them to upgrade their plans and put in concerted efforts to achieve requisite results in a quick timeframe.
The Naval Chief also extended felicitations to all those who had been associated with the project from the initial phase to eventual induction.
He hoped that the ultimate users would deliver the goods in real time to come.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Commander Karachi, Rear Admiral Asad Qureshi apprised the audience that in order to increase mobility of Pak Marines, a contract to procure four Hovercrafts was signed with Griffon Hovercraft of Britain and an equal number of Military Assault Boats were obtained under a contract with Marsun of Thailand.
"Today, the first Hovercraft and Military Assault Boat are being inducted after successful assembling at PN Dockyard and trials in creek areas", he added.
Highlighting the salient features of the newly inducted platforms, Commander Karachi said the Hovercraft is specially designed for undertaking operations over water, land, mud, sand bars and shallow waters with equal ease.
The Military Assault Boat is designed for patrolling the creek areas.
Commenting on the role of Pak Marines in the defence of creek areas and their achievements over the last decade, Adm Qureshi said that Pak Marines have relentlessly pursued their objectives and have got themselves recognised as a potent entity. They have established themselves in creek areas despite climate hardships and adverse living conditions and have achieved excellence in air defence and combat mobile patrolling, he added.
Later, the Naval Chief formally inducted the Hovercraft and Military Assault Boat.
The ceremony was attended by a large number of senior Naval officers.
The Managing Director of Marsun Company of Thailand, Yong Nonsopa, and Consul-General of Thailand in Karachi, Praphat Chantaharn, were also present on the occasion.
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