According to a tweet published by the Pakistan Navy on April 2, 2022, a flotilla comprising PNS Shamsheer, AZMAT & PMSA Kolachi Port called Abu Dhabi. PN Ships on completion of port visit participated in bilateral passage ex with UAE Naval ships.
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Kashmir-class PMSA Kolachi, Hamad port, Qatar. (Picture source: Navy Recognition)
PNS Azmat is the lead ship of the Azmat-class missile boats of the Pakistan Navy based on the Chinese design Type 037II Houjian-class. Azmat was commissioned on 24 April 2012 at Tianjin, China after being launched on 20 September 2011.
PNS Azmat FAC is a green water vessel and does not have blue water capabilities, so it is mostly used to patrol the coast and to assist the Coast Guard in any special operations that require extensive firepower.
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 a 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.
PNS Shamsheer (FFG-252) is the second F-22P Zulfiquar-class guided missile frigate currently in active service with the Pakistan Navy since her commissioning in 2009.
