Pakistan Navy Ship “ASLAT” arrived at Port of Colombo on 01 Feb 2025 on a 3 days goodwill visit. The port call is part of strong multifaceted bilateral relationship and engagement between the defense establishments of the two countries.
PNS ASLAT, the Guided Missile Frigate is the second ship to bear the name “ASLAT”. The first ship to be named “ASLAT” was Garcia Class Frigate (Ex – USS O’ CALLAHAN FF-1051) acquired from the US Navy on February 08, 1989. This frigate remained in active service in Pakistan Navy till June 1993. The name “ASLAT” is derived from an Arabic word and is a type of sword used by Arabs during early days of Islam.
On 20 December 2009, Keel of guided Missile Frigate PNS ASLAT, the fourth ship of Sword Class Frigates was laid in Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS & EW), Pakistan. She was launched on 16 June 2011. On 11 Sep 2012 the ship sailed into the Arabian Sea on her maiden sea trip for her machinery and propulsion trials. On 2 February 2013, PNS ASLAT Successfully completed a series of sea trials spanned over a period of four months. The ship was subsequently commissioned on 17 April 2013.
Upon arrival at Colombo, a traditional warm welcome was extended by Sri Lankan Navy (SLN). During stay at port, Captain Muhammad Azhar Akram, Commanding Officer of the ship will call on senior naval officials from Sri Lanka Navy. A number of activities of mutual interest are planned between the two navies during its stay in Sri Lanka. PN officers and men will visit different Sri Lankan Navy units/ installations/ training facilities as well as take part in friendly sports meet.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan enjoy brotherly relations, which have strengthened over the period of time. Such visits provided ample opportunity to Pakistan and Sri Lankan Naval officers and men to learn through professional interactions with their counterparts and to enhance interoperability and mutual coordination.
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Colombo
February 01, 2025
