PNS Saif (F253) explained

PNS Saif (FFG-253) is a F-22P Zulfiquar-class guided missile frigate which serves as the front line warship of the Pakistan Navy since her commission in 2010.^[1]

Operational history

Saif was constructed and built in China by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard Co. where her keel laying was performed.^[2] Saif was subjected to the extensive sea trials conducted by the Pakistan Navy in China under Captain Zubair Shafiq on June-July 2010, and was acquired on 9 November 2010.^[3]

On 19 September 2010, Saif was commissioned into the military services of the Pakistan Navy with Adm. Noman Bashir overseeing her commissioning ceremony in China.^[4] She is the second warship to have the name Saif, which is a talwar (Urdu: تلوار) or sword (Arabic: سيف). Her commissioning ended the construction phase of the project in China.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: First Ever Deployment of Pakistan Navy Ship Under Pakistan Navy's Regional Maritime Security Patrol (RMSP) Initiative in Gulf of Aden & Southern Red Sea Region. . www.ispr.gov.pk . 16 November 2019.
2. News: Pakistan CNS commissions of 3rd F-22 P Frigate . 17 November 2019 . www.chinadaily.com.cn.
3. Web site: Ministry of Defence Pakistan Navy . Naval Radio . 17 November 2019.
4. News: Pakistan Commissions Third F-22P Frigate . 17 November 2019 . Naval Technology . 19 September 2010.
5. News: Third F22P frigate inducted in naval fleet . 17 November 2019 . DAWN.COM . 16 September 2010 . en.