The Pakistani ships will stay in Malaysia from April 4-7 to enhance defence relations and goodwill between the two countries. This was stated by Commodore Kamran Khan, the commander of mission from Pakistan Navy Ships Badr and Nasr while talking to media persons onboard PN Nasr at Port Klang, Malaysia, on Saturday.
Commodore Kamran said the visit of Pakistan Navy Ships Badr and Nasr to Malaysia is yet another milestone in keeping up the good naval traditions of strengthening ties between the two brotherly nations and their navies. He said military co-operation between the armed forces in general and Pakistan Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy in particular, was an important feature of warm and cordial relations between the two countries.
He appreciated the Royal Malaysian Navy for sending Royal Malaysian Navy's ship KD Kedah to Karachi to participate in Pakistan's biennial exercise AMAN-09 held in March 2009. The participation of Royal Malaysian Navy in Multinational Exercises in Pakistan is becoming a regular feature of flourishing naval connections between Pakistan and Malaysia, he added. Commodore Kamran Khan commended the professional conduct of KD KEDAH's crew during the entire exercise and said that he is proud to say that Royal Malaysian Navy is one of the finest navy of the region.
Commodore said, "Pakistan Navy is also a regular participant of Malaysian Defence Exhibition LIMA (Lankawi International Maritime Air show) and we are proud of our strong naval association". He said Pak-Malaysia defence co-operation dates back to early seventies when the Royal Malaysian Armed Forces personnel were sent to Pakistan for military training.
He expressed the hope to widen the existing scale of co-operation and added that regular visits of PN ships to Malaysia are also manifestation of importance Pakistan attached to Pakistan's relations with Malaysia.
He also extended the well wishes of the Chief of the Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy Admiral Noman Basir and Commander Pakistan Fleet Rear Admiral Asif Sandila to the Royal Malaysian Navy and people of Malaysia for their love and warmth towards Pakistan.
He also thanked the great people of Malaysia for standing by Pakistan in difficult times especially during the October 2005 earthquake when huge supplies of relief goods and humanitarian assistance was sent to the earthquake hit northern areas and hoped that regular visits of Malaysian Navy Ships to Pakistan will continue.
During their stay, the ships will undertake number of activities with the Royal Malaysian Navy which includes friendly sports fixtures, exchange visits, courtesy calls and reception onboard ships. PN ships will also avail the opportunity to hold Joint/Passage exercises with Royal Malaysian Navy. Ship crew would also undertake community welfare work in one of the orphanage.
Later, the media person were given a round of the ships and conducting officer replied to various questions asked by the media persons. In the afternoon a 40-member delegation of National Defence University of Malaysia also visited the ships. During their stay they were given briefing about the ships and were also given round of the ships.
PNS NASR is a Combat Support Ship of Pakistan Navy Fleet's 9th Auxiliary and Mine Warfare Squadron. Her name, an Arabic Word meaning 'Help' denotes its combat support role so very vital for sustained operations at sea. The ship is capable of providing fuel, water and stores to surface ships and helicopters at sea for prolonged operations and therefore acts as a lifeline of the Fleet.
PNS BADR is a leading warship of the 25th Destroyer Squadron of Pakistan Fleet. The ship is named after the famous battle fought in 624 AD at a place called Badr near Madina. The ship is fitted with state of the art weapons and sensors manned by highly trained and motivated team.