PNS Khaibar participates in Pakistan-Turkiye naval drill during maiden voyage

The newly commissioned Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Khaibar participated in a bilateral naval exercise with the Turkish Navy during its maiden voyage from Turkiye to Pakistan, the military’s media wing said on Friday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), PNS Khaibar visited Aksaz Naval Base in Turkiye and took part in the Pakistan Navy-Turkish Navy bilateral Exercise TURGUTREIS-XIII.

During the port call, the Commanding Officer of PNS Khaibar met the Turkish Southern Sea Area Commander to discuss matters of mutual interest, including enhanced bilateral naval cooperation and regional maritime stability.

Senior Turkish Naval Forces officials, including the Southern Sea Area Commander and Commander Aksaz Naval Base, also visited the Pakistani warship.

Following the port visit, PNS Khaibar conducted Exercise TURGUTREIS-XIII alongside Turkish Naval Forces ship TCG Heybeliada and a Turkish Navy SH-70 helicopter.

READ MORE: Pakistan Navy commissions second MILGEM class ship ‘PNS Khaibar’ in Istanbul

The exercise included a range of sea manoeuvres aimed at strengthening interoperability and rehearsing joint maritime operations.

Upon completion of the drill, PNS Khaibar and TCG Heybeliada carried out a coordinated patrol (CORPAT) in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

The successful conduct of the exercise and coordinated patrol reflects the deep-rooted strategic partnership and strong defence cooperation between Pakistan and Turkiye, ISPR said.