Pakistan Navy 'ever ready - combat ready'
08 January, 2014
KARACHI: Pakistan Navy Annual Fleet Efficiency Competition Parade (ECP) for the year 2013 was held at PN Dockyard on Tuesday.
Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila, Chief of the Naval Staff graced the occasion as Chief Guest.
ECP is conducted annually by Pakistan Navy Fleet Command to mark the culmination of its operational year in which efficiency shields are awarded to selected fleet units based on their overall performance throughout the year.
While addressing the officers and men, Admiral Sandila commended PN Fleet for successfully achieving the set objectives and accomplishing all the assigned tasks in a befitting manner.
He particularly appreciated the Fleet for successfully conducting joint exercises with PAF and Pakistan Navy's Coastal Command which have enhanced inter and intra services coordination for Maritime Operations.
Admiral Sandila emphasised that a professional and a combat ready Navy was a major component of national security and vital to safeguard the country's maritime interests as well as economic prosperity.
The chief guest further stated that indigenous construction of second Fast Attack Missile Craft and initiation of construction of a Fleet Tanker at KSEW was a significant step towards self-reliance and will enhance capabilities of the local industry.
He also mentioned that the induction of ATR-72 aircraft, upgrade of SEAKING helicopters and induction of UAVs would significantly enhance Pakistan Navy's capabilities. The Admiral highlighted that despite financial constraints, the government was doing its utmost to provide essential resources to fill in the capability gaps of Pakistan Navy wherever required.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Commander Pakistan Fleet, Vice Admiral Khan Hasham Bin Saddique highlighted the operational achievements of the PN Fleet. He stated that during the year 2013, fleet operations were planned and executed with a vision of being "Ever Ready - Combat Ready", a compulsion imposed by prevalent operational environment.
He also stated that during the last year, Pakistan Navy has actively participated in several major maritime exercises, including multinational exercises AMAN-13 in Pakistan. Thamar al Tayab in Oman, Triton-13 in Australia and Inspired Union in Pakistan besides other overseas deployments to Far East, Mediterranean and Black Sea to pursue our foreign policy objectives.
He said that participation in such exercises with foreign navies not only enhanced Pakistan Navy's professional competence but has also contributed towards the government's diplomatic objectives. He said that today Pakistan Navy was well geared to defend maritime interests and thwart all sorts of threats in the maritime domain.
Admiral Sandila gave away the prizes to winning units. A large number of senior serving and retired Naval Officers and men of Pakistan Navy attended the ceremony.
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