Turkey begins construction of naval warship for Pakistan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday attended a ceremony marking the construction of a new naval warship that is to be sold to Pakistan, according to a report by Turkish news outlet TRT World. 

Erdogan also commissioned a new naval warship into the Turkish Navy on the occasion, hailing the warship building capabilities of the Turkish defense industry. 

According to the Turkish president, Turkey was one of only 10 countries worldwide that were able to build, design, and maintain warships using national capabilities. 

Also read: Turkey, Malaysia, Pakistan to launch Islamic TV channel: PM Imran

The warship commissioned for the Turkish navy is named TCG Kinaliada while the one being built for Pakistan is named MILGEM, the report on the Turkish website claimed. 

Speaking on the occasion, Erdogan said that he hoped that Pakistan benefited from the the naval warship that was being provided to it by Turkey. 

"Our navy, rich with glorious victories, is carrying this legacy into the future by further strengthening it," he was quoted as saying. He added that Turkey was proud of the accomplishments of the defense sector. 

In July 2018, Pakistan Navy had signed a contract for the acquisition of four MILGEM-class ships from Turkey.

ALSO READ: 

Turkish President Erdogan raises Kashmir issue in UN speech

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Imran Khan met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Turkey will stand by Pakistan through thick and thin: Turkish air commander

General Hasan's comments came as he addressed PAF passing out parade