ANKARA – Pakistan Navy Ship, PNS SAIF (FFG 253), with an embarked Z9EC Helicopter is participating in multinational naval exercise “Mavi Balina 2018” hosted by the Turkish Navy during 28 September to 7 October 2018.
Pakistan Navy P3C-Orion aircraft is also participating in the exercise from Dalaman Airbase. Conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean, the exercise is aimed at practicing anti-submarine defense.
Naval and air forces from Turkey, NATO, the United States, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Algeria, Qatar, Kuwait, Pakistan, Romania and Saudi Arabia are participating. Pakistan Navy ships have regularly been participating in Mavi Balina Exercise in the past.
This exercise has evolved into a common forum for both Western and Eastern nations, to share, discuss and propose solutions for collaborative maritime security, which is one of the critical contemporary maritime challenges. PNS SAIF will also participate in the joint Pakistan-Turkish Navies exercise “TURGUTREIS-II” from 8-9 October 2018. Commanded by Captain Shahid Wasif, PNS SAIF is the 3rd Ship of Sword Class, which is a multi-mission frigate, commissioned in the Navy on 15 September 2010.
