Pakistan orders two corvettes from US-based Swiftships

The Nation ^ | November 01, 2017

[sukhoi-30mki]

LOUisana - Pakistan Navy has placed an order for two 75m corvettes from an American shipbuilding company.

In an interview with Mönch magazine, Swiftships CEO Shehraze Shah stated that the Pakistan Navy placed an order for the two corvettes from the Louisana-based shipbuilding company. Shah also stated that the Pakistan Navy (PN) is a customer of the Swiftships’ 11m Special Operation Craft Riverine (SOC-R), which the PN has deployed for counterinsurgency (COIN) and drug-interdiction missions.

The 75m Swift Corvette is a multi-purpose platform for addressing both conventional and asymmetrical security threats. According to Swiftships , the Swift Corvette can also deploy rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIB) for special operation forces (SOF) missions and VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure) operations. At a speed of 15 knots, the Swift Corvette has a range of 4,000 nm and endurance of 25 days. It has a top speed of 30 knots. The corvette can operate in sea conditions of up to Sea State 6. If built with steel, the Swift Corvette would reportedly have a displacement of 1,640 tons, while an aluminium superstructure would enable for a displacement of under 1,000 tons and speed of over 30 knots.

In June, the Pakistan Navy signed an order for two offshore patrol vessels (OPV) from Damen Shipyards. The previous Chief of Naval Staff Admiral (r) Muhammad Zakaullah stated that one of the OPVs will be built at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW).

The intended role for the Damen OPVs is “anti surface [and] anti air operations, maritime se

[sukhoi-30mki]

Swiftships Swift Corvette (75 m). Photo source: Swiftships

Photo Source: Swiftships

[BenLurkin]

Interesting.

Surprising though that the stats don’t include displacement.

[jimtorr]

Displacement is mentioned in the text:

If built with steel, the Swift Corvette would reportedly have a displacement of 1,640 tons, while an aluminium superstructure would enable for a displacement of under 1,000 tons and speed of over 30 knots.

[from occupied ga]

Oh ships, I was looking for this

[Mariner]

The US could use a couple of dozen with upgraded electronics for the Persian Gulf, South China Sea and Med.

Of course a 2,500 ton Frigate would be better.

[Sam_Damon]

Interesting background of the CEO.

Born in Pakistan. Dad wanted a better future for his kids, so he sent them to the USA. More info at this link:

http://bernhardtwealth.com/Profiles/ShahShehraze.pdf

Still not sure of security implications, but apparently the CEO has all required USG security clearances.