KARACHI: Pakistan Navy (PN) destroyers demonstrated their firepower (missile firing skills) in the North Arabian Sea during the culmination of the sea phase of Seaspark-18 exercise on Friday.

The firing was conducted from the newly-commissioned combat logistic support ship PNS Moawin to validate war fighting concepts under hybrid threat environment involving support of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the Pakistan Army.

Anti-ship missiles too were successfully fired by Pakistan Navy ships Shamsheer and Shahjahan. Both missiles hit their targets affirming the PN’s war fighting capability.

The chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat, the chief guest on the occasion, reviewed fleet units and a fly-past by the Naval Air Arm.

He commended PN officers and men for their commitment to the line of duty.

He said Pakistan Navy had now transformed into a strong and formidable force in protecting national maritime interests in the region and beyond.

The chief of the naval staff on the occasion said that Pakistan Navy was ready in all respects to defeat any misadventure and aggression against Pakistan within the maritime domain.

“Pakistan Navy fleet is a four-dimensional force which is combat ready and prepared to tackle all grey hybrid warfare threats,” he said.

“The firing of missiles is an expression of our resolve to shoulder the sacred responsibility of defending Pakistan,” he added.

The PN has also initiated regional maritime security patrol in line with national objectives and international obligations to maintain peace and order at sea in the region and beyond.

The demonstration was also witnessed by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, and senior officers from the three services. The chief of air staff also appreciated joint operations, especially the enhanced coordination between the PN and PAF, in maritime domain.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2018