No damage, no casualties. PNS Hunain, a Yarmook‑class corvette built by Damen Shipyards in Romania, struck an Indian patrol vessel near the Omani coast on the evening of September 15, 2026. The Indian ship was conducting a routine surveillance mission in international waters, and the Pakistani vessel reportedly edged in at a high speed before colliding. The impact was brief and left both ships with only superficial dents, according to the Indian navy.
The corvette, named after the historic Battle of Hunayn, carries two four‑cell Harbah missile launchers and a 20‑mm Phalanx CIWS, giving it a robust anti‑ship and close‑in defense profile. Designed for coastal patrols and maritime security, the Yarmook class blends surveillance, rapid‑fire guns and missile capabilities, a testament to Pakistan's efforts to modernize its littoral fleet.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a stern protest, citing the incident as a breach of Article 10 of the 1991 Agreement on Advance Notice of Military Exercises. The ministry summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires in New Delhi and instructed Islamabad’s foreign office to lodge a reciprocal complaint. The diplomatic spat is expected to culminate in a high‑level meeting between the two foreign ministries by the end of September.
A fisherman from Al‑Baleed, Oman, watched the collision from his dhow and later reported the brief commotion to local authorities. Meanwhile, a crew member aboard the Indian warship said the incident underscored the need for clearer navigation protocols. Both sides now face pressure from domestic audiences to resolve the matter swiftly and avoid a broader naval standoff.