ISLAMABAD( WNAM REPORT): Pakistan Navy ATR Aircraft from the 29 Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron participated in Exercise MAVI BALINA-2024 at Dalaman, Türkiye.
Exercise MAVI BALINA-2024 is a Turkish-led multinational Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise, involving over 30 platforms, including ships, submarines, aircraft, and UAVs. The exercise was conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean and aimed at practicing submarine operations and ASW procedures. Naval and air force assets from Türkiye, NATO, the USA, Pakistan, Greece, and Special Operations Forces (SOF) teams from Türkiye and Azerbaijan participated in this multilateral exercise.
Pakistan Navy is a regular participant in Exercise MAVI BALINA. The interaction between Pakistan and other participating navies during the Harbour Phase included mutual visits, tabletop discussions, and planning sessions. The extensive Sea Phase culminated in detailed analysis sessions.
Pakistan Navy’s active participation in Exercise MAVI BALINA-2024 underscores its unwavering commitment to fostering relations between the two brotherly countries, Pakistan and Türkiye, and strengthening bonds with leading navies. These collaborative engagements enhance interoperability, provide mutual training op
portunities, and contribute to resilience in safeguarding shared interests and promoting peace across the region.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, called on the highest civil and military leadership during an official visit to Bahrain. The Naval Chief held meetings with the King of Bahrain, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. During these meetings, discussions focused on strengthening defence cooperation and reinforcing the historic ties between Bahrain and Pakistan. The King appreciated Pakistan Navy’s role and commitment to regional maritime security and stability.
Later, Chief of the Naval Staff met Commander-in-Chief of Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Commander of the Bahrain National Guard, General Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and the Commander of the Royal Bahrain Naval Force (RBNF), Rear Admiral Ahmed Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Binali. During these engagements, professional matters of mutual interest, including regional maritime security and bilateral defence collaboration, were discussed. The Naval Chief emphasized the importance of enhancing interactions between the armed forces of both countries through joint exercises, mutual visits, and training exchange programs.
Admiral Naveed Ashraf also visited RBNF Ship MANAMA and the Royal Command and Staff College. In his address at Royal Command and Staff College, the Naval Chief elaborated on current and emerging environment in the Indian Ocean Region and highlighted the need for a region-centric maritime security construct.
The Naval Chief’s visit is expected to further strengthen and expand defence ties between the two brotherly nations.
