ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, has been awarded the prestigious Turkish military decoration, the Legion of Merit, in recognition of his efforts to enhance defense and maritime collaboration between Pakistan and Türkiye, the Pakistan Navy announced on Tuesday.
The honor was conferred during Admiral Ashraf’s official visit to Türkiye by Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu, Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces. Upon his arrival at the Turkish Naval Forces Headquarters in Ankara, Ashraf was received with a ceremonial guard of honor.
During his visit, Admiral Ashraf held meetings with several senior Turkish military leaders, including Admiral Tatlioglu, Turkish Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler, Chief of General Staff General Metin Gurak, and Commander of the Turkish Navy Fleet Admiral Kadir Yildiz. These high-level engagements centered on strengthening bilateral naval cooperation and enhancing regional maritime security.
“Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf undertook an official visit to Türkiye, during which he was conferred the prestigious Legion of Merit by the Turkish Armed Forces,” the Pakistan Navy’s media wing confirmed.
Admiral Ashraf emphasized the importance of deepening military cooperation through increased joint exercises, training programs, official visits, and personnel exchanges between the two countries.
The naval chief also visited the Istanbul Naval Shipyard, where he met with senior officials and received a comprehensive briefing on the ongoing MILGEM corvette project. Under a 2018 agreement, Türkiye is constructing four MILGEM-class corvettes for the Pakistan Navy—two in Istanbul and two at Karachi Shipyard under a technology transfer arrangement. The first vessel, PNS Babur, was delivered in 2023.
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He later visited the Golcuk Naval Base, where he was given an overview of Türkiye’s advanced submarine design and construction facilities. He also toured Turkish naval ships TCG ORUCREIS and S/M PIRIREIS, and paid a visit to the National Defense University (NDU) in Türkiye.
According to the Pakistan Navy, Admiral Ashraf’s visit is expected to significantly bolster the longstanding strategic, cultural, and military relationship between Pakistan and Türkiye.
The two countries enjoy close diplomatic and defense ties, with Turkish defense industries playing a key role in modernizing Pakistan’s Agosta 90B-class submarines and supplying critical military equipment, including drones. Both nations regularly participate in joint military drills, including the recent Ataturk-XIII exercise, aimed at improving operational coordination between their special forces.