Pakistan-Turkey joint military exercise ATATURK-XI starts

Special forces from both countries will participate in the drills being held in Tarbela

The joint military exercise between Pakistani and Turkish special forces commenced on Tuesday with the opening ceremony taking place at the Special Service Group Headquarters in Tarbela.

Turkish Special Forces and Pakistan Army's Special Service Group troops are participating in the three-week-long exercise which will cover specialist skills including counter-terrorism, close quarter battle, cordon, and search, fire and manoeuvre techniques, helicopter rappelling, compound clearance, and rescue and free fall operations.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the joint military exercise will further strengthen the bond between the two nations and will also help in adapting to emerging military modernisation and cooperation.

Prime Minister Imran Khan previously also stated that both countries enjoyed brotherly ties and stood shoulder to shoulder with each other in difficult times.

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Pakistan and Turkey historically have enjoyed close cooperation but the recent regional developments further brought the two countries closer.

Both countries had also agreed to deepen their defence cooperation and stressed the need for the early implementation of the “Pakistan-Turkey Strategic Economic Framework”.

Islamabad and Ankara have enjoyed close defence relations. Special forces from both countries routinely engage in joint drills to further improve upon skills and coordination.

Earlier in January, Turkey started the construction of the third MILGEM Ada class corvette for the Pakistan Navy at a ceremony held in Istanbul.

During the 'welding ceremony, President Erdogan said Pakistan was a brotherly country with whom Turkey enjoyed excellent relations.

In July 2018, the Pakistan Navy signed a contract for the acquisition of four MILGEM-class ships with Turkey's state-owned defence firm ASFAT. MILGEM vessels are 99 metres long, have a displacement capacity of 24,00 tonnes and a speed of 29 nautical miles.

MILGEM anti-submarine combat frigates, which can be hidden from the radar, will further enhance the defence capability of the Pakistan Navy.