Pakistan Navy ships Tippu Sultan (DDG-185) with an embarked helicopter (Alouette) and Jurrat arrived at Iranian Port Bandar Abbas in Persian Gulf on Sunday for a three days port visit. The ships were given a very warm welcome on arrival at Port Bandar Abbas. Cdre Mirza Foad Amin Baig, Commander 18th Destroyer Squadron is commanding the PN Task Group as Mission Commander.
The purpose of this visit is aimed to promote peace and security in the region, enhance maritime collaboration and open new avenues of bilateral co-operation between the two friendly regional navies, says a press release received from Tehran here on Monday.
"Pakistan and Iran enjoy close and warm brotherly relations. These relations are based on very strong foundations of mutual interests. As brother in arms, Pakistan and Iranian Navy ships frequently visit each other's ports to conduct exercises in order to exchange naval experience and improve regional security. In this backdrop, present visit of PN Ships TIPPU SULTAN and JURRAT to Iran is a manifestation of this strong bond and cordial interactions between the two navies," stated a government press release.
Earlier, Iranian Naval Ships Lavan, Konarak, Falakhen and Khanjar recently visited Karachi port from September 27-30, 2016. During the visit, besides conducting Passage Exercise at sea, professional discussions and interaction were held.
During the current visit, both navies will hold several mutually beneficial interactive program including important meetings with Naval-cum-Military and political leaderships on matters of metal interests. Both Navies will also undertake passage Exercise in order to enhance inter-operability and naval collaboration.