China-built Pak Warship Joins Sino-Pakistan Naval Drill

Pakistan Navy’s second Type 054A/P frigate Taimur has joined People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships in the ongoing Sea Guardians-2 joint naval drills off Shanghai.

An opening ceremony was held at a naval port in Wusong, Shanghai on Sunday, state-owned China Central Television (CCTV) reported on the day. The drills will last until Wednesday.

The PLA Eastern Theater Command Navy sent the frigate Xiangtan, the corvette Shuozhou, the comprehensive supply ship Qiandaohu, a submarine, an early warning aircraft, two fighter jets and a helicopter.

Themed "jointly dealing with maritime security threats," the exercise will feature training courses including joint strike against maritime targets, joint tactical maneuvering, joint anti-submarine warfare and joint support for damaged vessels, Captain Liu Wensheng, a spokesperson for the PLAN, said in a statement.

The drill's goal is to enhance defense cooperation, conduct professional and technical exchanges, deepen traditional friendship between the two countries and the two navies, and promote the development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan, Liu said.

“China and Pakistan face non-traditional security threats including piracy and maritime terrorists in regions like the Indian Ocean, so it has become necessary that the two countries enhance cooperation in these aspects,” Wei Dongxu, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Sunday.

This is the second time a China-Pakistan joint naval exercise has been codenamed Sea Guardians. The first edition of the Sea Guardians exercise was held in January 2020 in the North Arabian Sea off Karachi

Pakistan took delivery of Taimur on June 23. PNS Tughril, the first ship of this class, joined the Pakistan Navy Fleet in January.