Pakistan Navy frigate PNS Aslat visits Portsmouth en route to Russia

Pakistan Navy frigate PNS Aslat arrived in Portsmouth with her 280-crew on Wednesday morning to visit the Royal Navy.

Photo: Royal Navy

The crew of the Zulfiquar-class frigate will spend the next few days with Royal Navy personnel and will be introduced to the Royal Navy training facilities on the base and at HMS Excellent.

Captain Bill Oliphant, the Captain of Portsmouth Naval Base said, “It’s fantastic to welcome the Pakistan Navy to Portsmouth – this is the first time we have seen them in the city for 13 years so this is a great honour.

“They are here on a goodwill visit and as a training piece for the ship’s company who have been very busy on deployment so it will give them a chance to enjoy the hospitality of the Royal Navy.”

The PNS Aslat has been working off the coast of Tunisia and is on her way towards Russia. She is part of the 25th Destroyer Squadron commanded by Commodore Muhammad Faisal Abbasi.

Members of the ships company will be taken on tours of HMS Victory and the Historic Dockyard while the cricket team will take on the Royal Navy at HMS Temeraire.

They are due to depart HM Naval Base Portsmouth on July 22.