Chinese naval vessels participating in the China-Pakistan Sea Guardians-3 joint maritime exercise assemble at the port of Karachi in the south of Pakistan on November 10, 2023.
By Sun Fei and Hu Jiajie
KARACHI, Nov.13 -- The China-Pakistan Sea Guardians-3 joint maritime exercise, with the theme of "Joint Response to Maritime Security Threats", kicked off at a naval base in Karachi, Pakistan, on November 11.
Spanning seven days from November 11 to 17 in the waters and airspace of the northern Arabian Sea, the exercise is divided into two phases, shore-based exchanges and maritime joint operations, which includes training courses on formation maneuvering, VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure), helicopter cross-deck landing, joint search and rescue, and joint anti-submarine drills.
China and Pakistan will conduct their first joint maritime patrol. The two sides will also send observers to each other, while the Chinese observers will participate in the exercise with the Pakistani anti-submarine patrol aircraft.
Participating troops from the Chinese PLA Navy consist of six vessels, including the guided-missile destroyer Zibo, guided-missile frigates Jingzhou and Linyi, and the comprehensive supply ship Qiandaohu, along with two shipborne helicopters and dozens of Marines. For the Pakistani side, nine vessels, including the PNS Shahjahan and Saif, three shipborne helicopters, four fighter jets, one fixed-wing anti-submarine patrol aircraft, and dozens of Marines are involved in the exercise.
After the opening ceremony, discussions were held on topics such as future anti-submarine development, anti-surface ship technology, counter-terrorism operations, etc. Marines from both sides conducted drills and exchanges on cabin infiltration, hostage rescue, and close quarter battle (CQB).
This is the third time for the Chinese and Pakistani navies to conduct the Sea Guardians series of exercises, which aims to enhance maritime security cooperation and elevate the real-combat training level of both militaries.
Pakistani sailors welcome the Chinese participating vessels at the port and board the Chinese ships for visit on November 10, 2023.