The Pakistan Navy is keen on strengthening its ties with the South African Navy as part of a strategy to promote regional stability through maritime cooperation. In anticipation of the multinational Exercise Aman scheduled for February, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) of the Pakistan Navy, discussed the importance of enhancing naval relations during an interview with defenceWeb.
Admiral Ashraf highlighted that the connection isn’t limited to ceremonial port visits, as both navies have established Expert Level Staff Talks (ELSTs). These talks, held in Cape Town, aim to address bilateral naval issues and explore mutual areas of cooperation, with the aspiration of conducting them annually.
Training initiatives are central to this partnership, with South African officers participating in naval staff courses in Pakistan and vice versa. Admiral Ashraf expressed optimism about future collaborations, including regular ship visits: “Our methodical deployment program prominently features South Africa.” Previous visits, like those of PNS Aslat and PNS Moawin in 2020, exemplify this growing connection.
Beyond South Africa, the Pakistan Navy maintains robust relationships across Africa, with multiple deployments around the continent since 2019. These ventures have involved essential humanitarian activities, such as food supply distributions and medical camp establishments, aiming to foster goodwill.
Key to these efforts is the Regional Maritime Security Patrols (RMSPs) launched in 2018, designed to maintain maritime stability. The RMSP has three focus areas: the eastern, western, and northern reaches of the region, indicating an inclusive approach where African nations can actively participate.
Admiral Ashraf emphasized that maritime security is a shared responsibility among nations due to the range of threats they collectively face. The Pakistan Navy has historically engaged in international maritime collaborations, contributing significantly to initiatives like CTF-150 and CTF-151, focusing on counter-terrorism and piracy.
With the geopolitical landscape constantly shifting, particularly in relation to tensions between India and other regional dynamics, Pakistan is committed to maintaining its naval presence in the Indian Ocean. Admiral Ashraf elaborated on various traditional and non-traditional threats, including piracy, drug trafficking, and maritime terrorism, advocating for region-led solutions through dialogue rather than an arms race.
To address these challenges, the Pakistan Navy is pursuing modernization and indigenous development of naval capabilities. This includes the acquisition of advanced naval platforms such as Type 054 frigates and the locally manufactured MILGEM-class corvettes. Additionally, the integration of drones into naval operations is enhancing surveillance capacities while effectively managing costs.
Looking ahead, the Pakistan Navy will host Aman 2025, expanding participation to over 100 countries, including 30 African nations. The exercise aims to foster international cooperation in maritime security and prepare for emerging challenges, while the newly introduced Aman Dialogue seeks to reinforce cooperative strategies and address shared maritime threats.
In conclusion, Admiral Ashraf exemplifies a vision of proactive, collaborative maritime security that recognizes the interconnectedness of regional threats and the necessity for joint efforts to ensure the safety and stability of maritime operations.
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