On 12 September 2023, Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania held a launching ceremony for the PNS Hunain, one of a series of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) 2600 that Damen is constructing for the Pakistan Navy. Damen was awarded the contract to build the vessel, following its successful delivery of the first two vessels, PNS Yarmook and PNS Tabuk in 2020.
Attending the event as Chief Guest was Chief of the Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi NI (M) S BT. Also in attendance were other representatives of the Pakistan Navy, as well as representatives of the Romanian Government and Navy, members of the Pakistan community in Romania, and Damen.
From left to right:
Chief of the Naval Staff Pakistan Navy Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, Chief Guest
Marc van Heyningen, COO Damen Group
Defense Attaché Pakistan Air Cdre Imran Niazi
CNO Romania Cdre Omar Farooq
During a speech to mark the event, the Chief Guest acknowledged Damen’s achievement in constructing the vessel in such a short space of time; a result of the company’s practice of building vessels according to proven designs. He highlighted the important role the vessel will undertake in securing maritime trade in the Indian Ocean region, and providing regional stability.
Damen’s Chief Operations Officer, Marc van Heyningen, also delivered a speech at the ceremony, during which he thanked the Admiral for his attendance and highlighted the long-standing relationship between Damen and the Pakistan Navy.
From left to right:
Chief of the Naval Staff Pakistan Navy Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, Chief Guest
H.E. Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Ambassador of Pakistan to Romania
Marc van Heyningen, COO Damen Group
DCNS (Projects) Rear Admiral Shafquat Hussain Akhtar SI(M)
Damen Regional Sales Director Stephan Stout, speaking after the launch, said, “It’s a proud moment for everyone involved in the project to see the vessel in the water for the first time. On behalf of Damen, I would like to thank the Pakistan Navy for continuing to place its trust in our company. I look forward to the commissioning phase of PNS Hunain and preparing the vessel for successful delivery and having her ready for the important work it will undertake in securing the seas of the Indian Ocean region.”
On the top photo from left to right:
Muhammad Mubashir Khan, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Pakistan to Romania
H.E. Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Ambassador of Pakistan to Romania
Lt Cdr Muhammad Faizain, Flag to CNS
Chief of the Naval Staff Pakistan Navy Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, Chief Guest
DCNS (Projects) Rear Admiral Shafquat Hussain Akhtar SI(M)
CNO Romania Cdre Omar Farooq