Islamabad / Karachi, July 30, 2025 — In a significant display of maritime cooperation, Pakistan Navy Ship PNS Shamsheer (F‑252) and the United States Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG‑62) carried out a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the North Arabian Sea (or North Indian Ocean), reinforcing interoperability and strategic collaboration between the two maritime forces .
The Inter‑Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan described the exercise as a series of “professional naval engagements and tactical manoeuvres” specifically designed to enhance operational coordination across both navies. The drills included navigation exercises, communication drills, and at‑sea coordination tasks meant to ensure seamless cooperation during joint operations .
This PASSEX follows heightened regional tensions earlier in May 2025 when a precarious military standoff between Pakistan and India saw both navies raising alert levels at sea, though no exchange of fire occurred. The joint drill is widely viewed as a strategic response to reinforce stability and readiness in regional waters .
The PNS Shamsheer, a Zulfiquar‑class guided‑missile frigate commissioned in December 2009, has actively participated in anti‑piracy operations, maritime patrols, and multiple bilateral exercises. The USS Fitzgerald, commissioned in October 1995, serves with the US Seventh Fleet and brought its capability and experience to the joint engagement .
Both navies share a long-standing history of collaboration through frameworks like the AMAN exercise series and participation in multinational initiatives such as Combined Task Force 150, which underscores the strategic depth of Pakistan–US maritime ties .
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Officials emphasized that the recent PASSEX demonstrates mutual resolve to uphold the rules-based international order, safeguard crucial sea lanes, and deter emerging maritime threats—ranging from piracy and smuggling to potential escalations in regional flashpoints .
The exercise also reflects renewed momentum in broader Pakistan–United States relations, including efforts to deepen political and economic cooperation, with naval engagement forming a key element of the strategic dialogue.