Pakistan, China hold largest-ever naval drill

Sea Guardian-3 exercise, involving naval ships, submarine and submarine rescue ships, kicked off on Saturday

KARACHI:

Chinese and Pakistani navies continued their largest-ever naval exercise in the northern Arabian Sea on Monday to enhance security cooperation and improve the level of bilateral combat training.

The Sea Guardian-3 joint maritime exercise, involving naval ships, submarine, and submarine rescue ships, kicked off with an opening ceremony at the Karachi Naval Dockyard on Saturday, the Pakistan Navy said in a statement.

Chinese Flotilla comprising naval ships, helicopters, fighter jets, a submarine, and a submarine rescue ship along with the Marines Corps detachment, arrived in Karachi to participate in the exercise.

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During the exercise, frontline destroyers/frigates along with air and other assets and marines/special forces from Pakistani and Chinese navies will carry out advanced-level joint drills and naval maneuvers in the North Arabian Sea besides professional and social activities during the harbor phase.

The aim is to share professional experiences on contemporary traditional and non-traditional threats in the Indian Ocean region, as well as enhance bilateral cooperation and interoperability between the two navies.

“The exercise is a "reflection of strong bilateral military cooperation" between the two navies, and will "foster greater bilateral cooperation."

The seven-day exercise, the third one of its series, will culminate on Nov.17.