Pakistan Navy in 2019

The year 2019 remained loaded in terms of Pakistan Navy multifaceted operational activities and initiatives. Over the year, various domains ranging from exercising combat readiness, infusing maritime awareness, training and provision of assistance/ relief operations by Pakistan Navy. To achieve the aforesaid assignments, Pakistan Navy always remained poised and endeavored in support of national interest. The broad contours of the initiatives/ activities spur over the year are enumerated in the ensuing paragraphs: Combat Readiness: In April 2019, Pakistan Navy demonstrated credible fire power in high tech indigenously developed land attack version of cruise missile weaponry systems in North Arabian Sea. In September 2019, during Exercise ‘RIBAT’; successful multiple live missile firings were conducted to review operational preparedness and war fighting capabilities of Pakistan Navy fleet. In November 2019, Pakistan Navy successfully launched Land Based Anti-Ship Missile in pursuit of PN quest for maintaining a peaceful coexistence in the region. Detection of Indian Submarine: In March 2019, during post Pulwama standoff, owing to high professionalism and dexterity, the valiant crew of Pakistan Navy’;s P3C Orion Aircraft successfully detected and blocked an Indian Navy Scorpene class submarine from entering into Pakistani waters. During the similar period, Pakistan Navy submarines remained discreetly deployed in adversary areas to thwart enemy’;s nefarious designs. Bilateral and Multinational Exercises: In January 2019, Pakistan Navy fleet and air units participated in 9th THAMAR AL TAYYIB Exercise with Royal Navy of Oman. In February 2019, Pakistan Navy hosted the 6th Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN (Peace); wherein, over 46 countries participated with ships, aircraft, Special Forces and Observers. In February 2019, Pakistan Navy fleet unit participated in the exercise `TURGUTREIS-III’; with Turkish Navy. In February 2019, Pakistan Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy conducted Bilateral Exercise MALPAK-II in North Arabian Sea. In February 2019, Pakistan Navy flotilla visited Abu Dhabi to participate in International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) / Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) and Bilateral Exercise NASL AL BAHR. In July 2019, Pakistan Navy hosted bilateral ‘Exercise AYYILDIZ’; between Pakistan Navy’;s Special Service Group (SSG Navy) and Turkish Navy’;s Special Forces, ‘Su Alti Taarruz’; (SAT). In October 2019, a bilateral exercise SEA THUNDER-IV held between Pakistan Navy Special Service Group and Indonesian Navy Special Operation Force (SOF). In November, 2019 Exercise SHAHEEN AL JAZEERA held between Pakistan Navy’;s Special Service Group and Royal Bahrain Defence Force’;s Special Operation Force (SOF) at Karachi. In December 2019, International Exercise Barracuda-X held at Karachi. Twenty four observers from 11 countries along with national stake holders including Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, PMSA, Port Qasim Authority and Karachi Port Trust participated in the exercise. Two Pakistan Navy ships PNS ASLAT and PNS MOAWIN are presently on Oversea Deployment around African region. The ships while enroute port called to various African countries including Morocco, Mauritania, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa till to date. CTF-150: In April 2019, Pakistan Navy took over the Command of Multinational Combined Maritime Task Force-150 (CTF-150) at Bahrain. Pakistan Navy team assured dedicated efforts to achieve the set objectives. Developmental Programs and Acquisitions: In September 2019, launching ceremony of state-of-the-art 2300 Tons Offshore Patrol Vessel-II, being built for Pakistan Navy was held at M/s DAMEN Shipyard Galati, Romania. In September 2019, Steel Cutting Ceremony of 1st ship of MILGEM Class Corvettes being constructed for Pakistan Navy was held at Istanbul Naval Shipyard, Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi jointly cut the metal plate of the 1st MILGEM Class Corvette. In October 2019, Steel Cutting Ceremony of 16 Ton Bollard Pull Pusher Tugs being built for Pakistan Navy was held at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW). In November 2019, the Commissioning Ceremony of Survey Vessel BEHR MASAH built for Pakistan Navy at China was held at Pakistan Navy Dockyard, Karachi. In November 2019, launching Ceremony of first indigenously designed Fast Attack Craft (Missile)/ FAC(M) – 4 being built for Pakistan Navy held at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW). Maritime Awareness Campaign: The importance of Blue Economy and the development of Maritime Sector is the key to Pakistan’;s economic development. In this perspective various initiatives were undertaken by Pakistan Navy to explore the potentials of Maritime sector. In February 2019, Pakistan Navy organized a three-day International Maritime Conference on the theme of ‘Global Geopolitics in Transition: Rethinking Maritime Dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region.’; In April 2019, National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) under the auspices of Pakistan Navy organized one-day seminar on the theme “Potential of Maritime Tourism Development in Pakistan” at Pakistan Maritime Museum, Karachi. In April 2019, induction ceremony of Marine Debris Collection Barges was held at Pakistan Navy Dockyard, Karachi. The barges will be used for Karachi harbour cleaning. In September 2019, Pakistan Navy celebrated World Maritime Day in coordination with International Maritime Organization. In December 2019, Pakistan Navy organized the 3rd Maritime Security Workshop (MARSEW-19) on the theme ‘Blue Economic Potentials’; at Pakistan Navy War Collage, Lahore. Humanitarian Assistance: In February 2019, Pakistan Navy successfully conducted rescue operation in Uthal, Balochistan and saved precious lives of civilians including women and children stranded in rain drains. Later in July 2019, Pakistan Navy contributed medical supplies of worth more than PKR 3 Million to the authorities of DHQ hospital, Uthal. In October 2019, during disastrous earthquake at Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan Navy team provided relief goods to the aggrieved populace and distributed the ration. In November 2019, Pakistan Navy distributed ration in suburb areas of Keti Bandar in Thatta district of Sindh with an aim to facilitate rehabilitation of effectees of sea cyclonic storm ‘Kyarr’;. In 2019, Pakistan Navy established free eye and medical camps at various remote and less privileged areas of Sindh and Balochistan. Sports Field: In the arena of sports activities, Pakistan Navy earned laurels by retaining Champions Title of 26th National Shooting Championship. Pakistan Navy won Sailing Event of 33rd National Games during the year 2019. Sailing event of the 33rd National Games of Pakistan was held at Karachi. Seizure of Contraband Items: Pakistan Navy, with an aim to safeguard frontiers, apprehended about 2000 kg Hashish worth over 30 million US dollars during an intelligence based operation near Pasni, Balochistan and approximately 675 Kg of Hashish and 4 Kg Heroin worth approx 300 Million near Sonehra Point at Mubarik Village. Bahria Model College Gwadar: Pakistan Navy Inaugurated State-of the art New Campus Building of Bahria Model College Gwadar. Growing number of Bahria Model Schools and Colleges across the coastal belt indicate Pakistan Navy’;s resolve to promote education & economic prosperity of the local populace. Overall, during the year 2019, Pakistan Navy conducted various operational exercises and by staying cognizant with prevalent security environment, ensured combat readiness efforts were made to enhance the overall capabilities in different domains.