INS Kolkata vs PNS Hunain: How the Two Warships Compare After Collision
The collision between INS Kolkata and PNS Hunain has highlighted major differences in their size, roles and combat capabilities amid fresh India-Pakistan maritime tensions.
INS Kolkata and Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Hunain were involved in a collision in the North Arabian Sea on September 15, 2026, during a close-range encounter in international waters. Indian officials said the Pakistani vessel approached the Indian warship at high speed and manoeuvred unsafely, resulting in the collision. PNS Hunain was reportedly damaged and returned to harbour, while INS Kolkata continued its operational deployment.
The incident has highlighted the significant difference between the two vessels. PNS Hunain is a Yarmook-class offshore patrol vessel of around 2,600 tonnes and 98 metres in length, designed primarily for maritime security, surveillance and limited combat operations. INS Kolkata is a much larger guided-missile destroyer, weighing about 7,400 tonnes and measuring 164 metres.
INS Kolkata is equipped for multi-dimensional warfare, with systems including BrahMos anti-ship missiles, long-range surface-to-air missiles, advanced radar, close-in weapon systems, torpedoes and sonar. PNS Hunain also carries anti-ship and air-defence systems, but its primary role is maritime patrol and security.
India lodged a strong protest with Pakistan, citing the 1991 bilateral agreement requiring naval vessels to maintain a safe separation in international waters. Pakistan also protested, giving its own account of the incident. The collision has therefore become both a maritime safety issue and a fresh source of diplomatic tension.
