Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the occasion of Fleet Review by Pakistan Navy witnessed the wide ranging naval maneuvers by an array of naval combat platforms in North Arabian Sea on Wednesday.As the culminating event of Pakistan Navy’s major maritime exercise “Sea Spark 2015”, the event was aimed to showcase the combat readiness of Pakistan Navy, says a press release issued here by the Pakistan Navy.
The Naval Forces demonstrated range of Naval Warfare Operations against traditional and non-traditional threats including counter-terrorism and anti-piracy drills, live weapons firings and fly past by Naval Aviation units. Earlier on his arrival onboard Pakistan Navy Ship NASR, the Prime Minister was received by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah. Pakistan Navy held its annual maritime exercise “Sea Spark 2015” to test its combat readiness where Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif witnessed the wide-ranging manoeuvres by an array of naval combat platforms in North Arabian Sea. In his address on the occasion, the Prime Minister reposed complete trust and confidence in the operational capabilities of Pakistan Navy and emphasised that the challenges at hand necessitate continuous vigilance to safeguard against external and internal threats. Pak Navy not only protects the maritime borders but it also plays vital role to provide security and defence to commercial and trade ships. Contingency plans and an indigenous capability to protect these supply routes are essential in the face of extant and emerging security challenges. Pakistan faces serious threats from the big neighbour – India – that is making concerted efforts to develop blue water navy with the twin objectives of containment of China in Indian Ocean and developing strategic naval strike capability against Pakistan. Blue water navy is the maritime force capable of sustained operation in deep water of open seas. It is stationed far away from domestic borders and usually has large aircraft carrier and on sea replenishment capabilities for long duration. According to reports, within the next three years, the Indian Navy aims to have around 200 warships, with three aircraft carriers in each of the three naval commands. We would, therefore, impress upon the government that despite financial constraints, urgent demands of Pakistan Navy should be met for further augmenting its maritime security capabilities so that it is able to thwart Indian designs of blockade of sea routes in case of a conflict.
