Pakistan Navy's participation in coalition maritime campaign plan has strengthened relations with modern navies, said Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir here on Tuesday.
"Participation of PN in multinational exercises and Counter Piracy Deployment has not only helped strengthen relations with modern navies but also added much to our professional acumen", he said while addressing the Annual Efficiency Competition Parade of Pakistan Navy at the PN Dockyard.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir, was the chief guest on the occasion. "Coalition maritime campaign plan and CTF-151 is a step towards regional and global security", he added. The Naval Chief emphasised that defence of the sea frontiers and maritime interest remains our prime responsibility, which will be ensured at all costs.
He said that Pakistan is committed to root out terrorism from the country. Earlier, Commander Pakistan Fleet Vice Admiral Abbas Raza while giving a detailed account of fleet activities, apprised that during 2010, PN ships conducted exercises with various navies including France, USA, UK, Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia.
He said that all training and operational objectives set for the year have been achieved in a befitting manner and the fleet has successfully completed all the tasks assigned by Naval Headquarters. Admiral Abbas said that fleet deployment included continued participation in Coalition maritime campaign plan and Counter Piracy, successful war patrols by submarines and conduct of maritime multinational exercises. In addition to these deployments and exercises, successful live missile firing by ships and aircraft has also augmented our war preparedness.
Moreover, continuous monitoring of maritime activities was ensured to assert the needed influence in our area of interest. Later, the chief guest gave away prizes to the winners. In Destroyer Squadron, PNS Babur was declared winner while PNS Moawin clinched the winning trophy in Auxiliary Squadron. PNS Munsif and PNS Juraat were proclaimed winners in MCMVs and Patron Squadrons respectively. In Submarine Squadron, PNS/M Hashmat was awarded the winning trophy and 333 Squadron was declared winner in Aviation Squadron.