Pakistan and China Hold Largest Ever Navy Drills
The type 054A/P frigate was made for Pakistan by China. Photo: Global Times/ Liu Xuanzun
On Nov 11, the Pakistan Navy and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) launched the third edition of their “Sea Guardian” maritime drills. The exercise comes as a move to strengthen Sino-Pakistani ties and enhance strategic capabilities in jointly safeguarding the oceans.
On Saturday morning, the Sea Guardian-3 joint maritime exercise began with an elaborate opening ceremony at the historic Karachi Naval Dockyard in Pakistan. The drills are expected to conclude on Friday, November 17. China and Pakistan hold military exercises between their armed forces annually.
The current edition of the Sea Guardian drills between China and Pakistan is the largest ever between the two allies. This is also the only edition where China and Pakistan are engaging in military patrols. The first edition was held in 2020 in the northern Arabian Sea waters, and the second was held in 2022 in waters off of Shanghai.
The exercise in the waters and airspace of the northern Arabian Sea consists of two phases: shore-based exchanges and maritime joint operations. Both sides will set up training courses including formation maneuvering, VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure), helicopter cross-deck landing, joint search and rescue, joint anti-submarine and main gun shooting, in addition to professional exchanges and mutual visits.
Participating troops from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy consist of six vessels, composed of the guided-missile frigates Jingzhou and Linyi, the comprehensive supply ship Qiandaohu, in addition to a couple of shipborne helicopters and a large number of marines.
From Pakistan, nine vessels are taking part in the Sea Guardian-3. PNS Shahjahan and PNS Saif are leading the group, with four fighter jets, a large number of marines and one fixed-wing anti-submarine patrol aircraft.
A Pakistani national flag flies alongside a Chinese national flag in front of the portrait of Chairman Mao Zedong on Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Photo: Reuters/David Gray
China is actively investing in Pakistan’s maritime efforts. In May, China delivered all four Type 054A/P guided missile frigates to the Pakistani Navy, with the Hangor-class submarines built jointly in China and Pakistan. The Type 054A is a multi-role frigate and recognized as the backbone of the People’s Liberation Army Navy fleet of surface combatants. The 4,000 ton frigates are made of high technology, having enormous surface-to-surface, land attack, surface-to-air and underwater firepower coupled with extensive surveillance potential.
At the opening ceremony, Chinese PLAN Rear Admiral Liang Yang said, “The exercise is dedicated to enhancing the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, boosting defense cooperation and deepening professional cooperation.” He further added that he hopes the two navies can further enhance their operational capabilities in dealing with maritime security threats and safeguard maritime peace.
Chief of Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy, Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi, said that the “Sea Guardian exercises serve the objectives of fostering interoperability and sharing professional experiences to deal with contemporary traditional and non-traditional threats.”
Apart from these joint drills, Pakistan and China hold regular high-level visits, training exchange programmes, expert talks and equipment cooperation. China and Pakistan share multiple common interests in jointly safeguarding strategic seas in the Indian Ocean, which is prone to dangerous activities such as terrorism and piracy, which can interfere with maritime trade.