ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabian and the Pakistan naval forces continued on Thursday joint exercise, Naseem Al-Bahr 13, in the Arabian Sea off the Pakistan coast.
The two forces started the exercise in Karachi on Sunday. On Monday, Saudi naval chief General Fahad Bin Abdullah Al Ghofaily arrived in Pakistan to witness the drill.
The Saudi air force is also participating for the first time in the 10-day joint exercise.
The major features of the exercise include training on how to respond to a naval attack from booby-trapped boats, using radars and follow-up to monitor water submarines, and how to use live anti-ship “air-surface” ammunition. Besides naval ships of both navies, aviation units including RSNF and PNF helicopters embarked on board ships and aircraft of RSAF are participating in the exercise.
On the first day of the exercise Wednesday, various harbour evolutions were conducted to provide synergy in different naval operations. It also afforded an opportunity for both navies to conduct operational planning for the joint naval operations to be conducted in the subsequent sea phase of the exercise.
During the first phase, various training exercises were organized onboard RSNF and PNF ships and in harbour facilities. The respective force commanders of RSNF and PNF closely monitored and supervised the training activities.
The joint exercise commander, Rear Admiral Sajer Al-Anezi, said that the Naseem Al-Bahr 13 manoeuvres include all dimensions of naval operations, such as air, surface and subsurface wars, along with electronic warfare and mine warfare. “Several assumptions and formations for naval units will be implemented, as well as training on ships while sailing,” he said.
Al-Anezi said the Saudi Royal Navy and Air Forces have the ability to compete with other powers of the world, and they can reach any area of operations whenever it is asked.
“The two Saudi forces are in Pakistan today to work in a different threat environment, far from their areas of operations. All branches of the Saudi forces are able to reach and confront the threat areas, while sustaining operations when ordered to do so, in light of the work on developing advanced and modern systems,” he added.
The exercise was aimed to consolidate the existing strong bilateral relations between Pakistan Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Forces, according to Pakistan Navy sources. The drill included joint conduct of maritime security operations across the traditional and non-traditional warfare domains thus enhancing interoperability between both the navies, the sources said in a statement.
Earlier, the RSNF flotilla arrived at Karachi port and was warmly welcomed by senior naval officers.
