The Babur-class corvette, also known as the PN MILGEM class, is a class of four heavy corvettes under construction for the Pakistan Navy. This class is a subclass of the Turkish MILGEM project.[1] [2] [3] The corvette class is heavier and larger than the Turkish and are also equipped with VLS.[2]
For its anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities, the corvettes feature two triple-cell launchers for six anti-ship missiles of an undisclosed designation. Although the missiles-in-question are yet to divulged, it is believed that they may actually be the Harbah anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), currently in service with the Pakistan Navy. The Harbah is an anti-ship variant of the Babur subsonic cruise missile, featuring an approximate range of .
As for its anti-air warfare (AAW) capabilities, the corvettes feature a 12-cell GWS-26 vertical launching system (VLS) configuration.[4]
Initially, the corvettes were selected to feature the Chinese-origin HHQ-16 surface-to-air missiles, developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC).[5] However, in 2021 - the Pakistan Navy revealed that it had selected the Albatros NG surface-to-air missiles developed by MBDA, instead.[6] The Albatros NG - a variant of the CAMM-ER naval anti-air missile has an approximate range of over, with the capability to neutralize various aerial threats - including anti-ship missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and precision-guided munitions.[7] The PN MILGEM corvettes are the first surface warships to utilize Albatros NG.[6]
As for its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, the corvettes feature two three-cell Mark 32 324 mm lightweight torpedo tubes, along with an anti-submarine helicopter.[8] Although the helicopter's designation is yet to divulged, it is believed that the corvettes may carry the AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat.
The corvettes have one OTO Melara 76 mm naval gun, one 35 mm Aselsan GOKDENIZ close-in weapon system and two 25mm Aselsan STOP remote weapon stations - for providing short-range point defense against both aerial and surface threats.[9]
In a parallel fashion to the Ada-class corvettes, the Babur class feature similar radar equipment, including :-
The PN MILGEM class is equipped with the SMART-S Mk2 passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radar, license manufactured by Aselsan.[8] The SMART-S Mk2 is a three-dimensional, multi-beam, long-range surface/aerial surveillance radar, featuring an azimuth of 360o, with the capability to track both aerial and surface targets - at ranges of approximately and, respectively.[10]
The class also features the Aselsan ALPER low-probability-of-intercept radar (LPI) - for detecting and tracking both aerial and surface targets.[11] The ALPER features an approximate range of .[12]
In addition to the SMART-S Mk2 and the ALPER, the corvettes are also equipped with the AKREP (AKR-D Block B-1/2) fire-control radar (FCR) - capable of tracking and providing target information over an approximate range of .
The corvettes feature the Meteksan YAKAMOS sonar system, as its primary sonar suite.[13] The YAKAMOS is a hull-mounted, medium-frequency anti-submarine/obstacle-avoidance sonar, capable of detecting sub-surface targets within an azimuth of 360o azimuth over a range of .[14]
As part of its electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, the corvettes feature the Aselsan ARES-2N radar ESM system, along with ELINT and SIGINT modules.[9] The ARES-2N is a long-range electronic support system, capable of detecting, intercepting, classifying, tracking and recording electromagnetic emissions of various targets, over an operating frequency of 2-18 GHz.[15]
As part of its tracking capabilities, the PN MILGEM class features the Aselsan SeaEye-AHTAPOT electro-optical surveillance system (EO) - capable of tracking targets at a range of and the Aselsan PIRI infrared search and track (IRST) system - capable of tracking 150 targets simultaneously, over an azimuth of 360o.[16]
In addition, the class is also equipped with the Northrop Grumman LN-270 INS/GPS navigation system, for providing geopositioning and turret stabilization.[17]
| Pennant number | Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F280 | Babur | Istanbul Naval Shipyard (INSY) | 4 June 2020[18] | 15 August 2021[19] | 23 September 2023[20] | Active |
| F282 | Khyber | 1 May 2021[21] | 25 November 2022[22] | Launched | ||
| F281 | Badr | Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) | 25 October 2020[23] | 20 May 2022[24] | Launched | |
| F283 | Tariq | 5 November 2021[25] | 2 August 2023[26] | Launched |