Chinese and Pakistani Navies Join Forces in Multinational Maritime Exercise

a harbor phase featuring seminars, operational discussions, and international gatherings, and a sea phase involving tactical maneuvers, search and rescue drills, and live-fire exercises. The exercise is designed to address and counter non-traditional security challenges, notably joint anti-piracy operations, counter-terrorism efforts, and other maritime threats.

As part of this multinational effort, a distinguished formation from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, including the Baotou, a Type 052D guided missile destroyer, and the Gaoyouhu, a Type 903A comprehensive replenishment ship, has been dispatched to participate. These vessels, belonging to the PLA Navy’s 47th escort task force originally deployed in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, have demonstrated operational flexibility by navigating through Pakistani waters closer to these conflict areas than to the Chinese coast.

The pairing of the combat-capable destroyer with the logistics-support replenishment ship is viewed as an effective strategy to strengthen overall combat capabilities. Chinese military analyst Zhang Junshe emphasized that this collaborative drill not only reinforces maritime security in the region but also safeguards China's broader overseas interests by ensuring the secure passage of critical sea lanes. The exercise serves as a platform for enhancing mutual understanding and forging stronger ties among the participating nations to counter shared maritime challenges.