Karachi, January 18, 2025: The Pakistan Navy’s sail training ship Rah Naward and the Italian Navy’s Amerigo Vespucci conducted a joint sailing operation in the Gulf of Oman. The exercise, aimed at training Pakistan Naval Academy cadets and fostering international cooperation, highlighted the exceptional coordination between the two naval forces. Such collaborative sail training exercises are rare outside international regattas and provided cadets with a valuable learning experience.
In a related development, the Pakistan Navy is preparing to assume command of the Combined Maritime Forces’ Task Force 151 (CTF 151) on January 22 in Bahrain. This marks the 11th time Pakistan will lead the counter-piracy task force, which also combats human trafficking and illegal fishing. Established in 2009, CTF 151 has played a key role in reducing piracy incidents in critical maritime trade routes.
Separately, Pakistan recently transferred command of CTF 150 to the Royal New Zealand Navy. Under Pakistan’s leadership from July 2024 to January 2025, CTF 150 conducted several successful maritime security operations, including seizing nearly 10 tons of illicit drugs worth over $50 million in collaboration with regional navies. Commodore Asim Sohail Malik, the outgoing CTF 150 commander, emphasized Pakistan Navy’s dedication to maritime security and regional cooperation.
Additionally, the Pakistan Navy ship PNS Yarmama visited Turkish ports, where it was warmly received by Turkish naval officials. During the visit, PNS Yarmama participated in the naval exercise “Mavi Vatan,” enhancing joint operational capabilities and strengthening Pakistan-Turkey naval ties.
The Pakistan Navy’s Command and Staff Conference, chaired by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, also reviewed the region’s maritime security and the operational readiness of naval forces. The upcoming multinational exercise Aman 2025 and Aman Dialogue in February 2025 were key topics of discussion, reflecting Pakistan’s commitment to fostering global maritime partnerships.
