ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Navy has marked a significant step in internationalmaritime collaboration with the arrival of its ATR-72 maritime patrolaircraft at Dalaman Air Base in Türkiye. This deployment underscoresPakistan’s commitment to regional security and interoperability amongallied forces. The aircraft’s touchdown initiates participation in theprestigious multinational exercise “Dogu Akdeniz 25,” a platform foradvanced naval tactics and joint operations in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The “Dogu Akdeniz 25” exercise, hosted by the Turkish Navy, assemblesforces from multiple nations to conduct a spectrum of high-stakes drills.These encompass Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, HumanitarianAssistance and Disaster Relief, Mine Countermeasures, Maritime SecurityOperations, Maritime Interdiction Operations, and comprehensive air defencemaneuvers. Scheduled over several days, the event simulates real-worldscenarios to bolster collective defense capabilities and responsemechanisms in contested maritime domains.
Pakistan’s involvement highlights the deepening strategic partnershipbetween Islamabad and Ankara, built on shared interests in counteringasymmetric threats and ensuring freedom of navigation. The ATR-72, equippedwith state-of-the-art surveillance and reconnaissance systems, willcontribute to aerial monitoring and support surface units during theexercise. Naval officials emphasized that such engagements enhanceoperational synergy, allowing participating fleets to refine tactics andshare best practices in a controlled environment.
Beyond tactical proficiency, the exercise fosters diplomatic ties andmutual understanding among diverse naval commands. By integrating air,surface, and subsurface assets, “Dogu Akdeniz 25” addresses evolvingchallenges like piracy, smuggling, and territorial disputes in vital sealanes. Pakistan’s proactive role reaffirms its stature as a responsiblemaritime power, contributing to global stability while advancing nationaldefense objectives through sustained international cooperation.
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As the exercise unfolds, observers anticipate valuable insights intoemerging technologies and doctrines. This collaboration not onlystrengthens bilateral relations but also promotes a unified front againsttransnational maritime risks, ensuring safer waters for international tradeand humanitarian efforts.
Source:https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/pakistan-navy-atr72-arrival-turkey-dogu-akdeniz-2025/
