ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani flotilla participated in the Joint Gulf Shied 1 drills concluded in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia, Arab News reported on Sunday.
Pakistani troops were joined by forces from 24 other countries including Bahrain, UAE, US, Jordan, Kuwait and Egypt.
The military exercise was organised to raise the capability of participating troops to confront threats. Pakistan remained the leading contributor to the Joint Gulf Shield 1, a reflection of robust bilateral relations between Islamabad and Riyadh.
The two countries have been involved in a number of joint training exercises in recent months, with a joint naval exercise in Karachi codenamed Affa Al Sahil organised in February.
The exercise has been performed annually since 2011 and aims to enhance interoperability and sharpen tactical proficiency in countering maritime human trafficking, piracy and terrorism.
Spokesman for the Joint Gulf Shield 1 Brig Gen Al-Subaie said the exercise aims to raise the competencies of the participating forces to face the challenges and threats within a joint operation environment in order to achieve the concept of joint action where many modern and sophisticated weapons are used.
The Gulf Shield 1 drill is a turning point in terms of the techniques used in accordance with the most modern military systems in the world. Tens of thousands of soldiers were in the Kingdom to join the military exercise, which is considered the largest in the region in terms of the number of participating countries and the equipment used.
Various activities involving joint operational planning, training, demonstrations, seminars on professional topics, and cultural events were conducted in the harbour phase of the exercise, with the aim of mutually benefiting the participants and generating goodwill. Irregular warfare, coastal defence, combat search and rescue, naval warfare exercises and extensive flying operations were conducted during the sea phase of the exercise.
Published in Daily Times, April 9th 2018.
