KARACHI: The Pakistan Navy on Saturday conducted joint drills, Arabian Monsoon 2021 and Lion Star-II, with the naval forces of Russia and Sri Lanka respectively.
A spokesperson of the Navy said the exercises were held in the north Arabian Sea and were also attended by the aerial assets of the Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
The joint drills represent the Pakistan Navy’s commitment to promote and balance a safe maritime environment in the region. The exercises were conducted to further enhance the cooperation and interoperability with Russian and Sri Lankan navies, the spokesperson said.
Pakistan ships Alamgir and Aslat took part in the drill with ships of Russian navy, Admiral Grigorovich and Dmitriy Rogachov, in the North Arabian Sea while ship Zulfiquar conducted bilateral exercise Lion Star-II with Sri Lankan ship Gajabahu.
In the exercises, fixed and rotary wing aircraft of Pakistan Navy as well as some PAF fighters also participated. The exercises included anti-surface, anti-air warfare, manoeuvring and communication serials.
The engagements are also testimony of PN’s resolve to work towards regional peace and maintain close relations with all friendly navies, the spokesperson added.
The 7th multinational naval exercise Aman-21 was culminated on Tuesday with a graceful conduct of International Fleet Review (IFR). With the participation of some 45 countries, including the US, Russia, China, and Turkey, the Aman-2021 drill–a biannual affair since 2007–was hosted by Pakistan from February 11-16.
Significantly, this was the first time Russia joined a military drill with NATO members in a decade. The last such time was in 2011 in the Bold Monarch 2011 exercise off the coast of Spain.
