ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf hasdescribed the expanding defence partnership with Türkiye as a leading modelof effective technology transfer that has substantially enhanced Pakistan’sindigenous industrial capabilities.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Admiral Ashraf highlighted joint navalshipbuilding initiatives as evidence that mutual aspirations forself-reliance can yield tangible industrial progress for both nations.
The flagship MILGEM-class corvette programme remains the cornerstone ofthis collaboration, representing Pakistan’s largest foreign-assisteddefence project to date.
Under the 2018 contract with Türkiye’s ASFAT, four advanced corvettes arebeing delivered: two constructed in Istanbul and two assembled at KarachiShipyard & Engineering Works with deliberate emphasis on transferringcritical design and management expertise.
Admiral Ashraf termed the arrangement a hallmark of Pakistan-Türkiyestrategic synergy, noting that local construction has markedly strengtheneddomestic shipbuilding infrastructure and laid foundations for futureautonomy.
Building on acquired competencies, he expressed confidence that bothcountries could jointly develop unmanned maritime platforms, advancedunderwater systems and sophisticated sensor technologies.
The admiral stressed that cooperation extends beyond technical exchange toencompass strategic maritime objectives in an increasingly complex regionalsecurity environment.
He welcomed Türkiye’s growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean ascomplementary to Pakistan’s own vision of ensuring secure sea lanes vitalfor economic prosperity.
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Regular bilateral exercises and interactions, he added, continue toreinforce shared commitments to regional stability, maritime connectivityand cooperative security frameworks.
Admiral Ashraf also underscored the navy’s pivotal role in protecting searoutes linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor while advancing thenational blue economy agenda.
The recently concluded Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conferencein Karachi, he said, successfully showcased Pakistan’s maritime potentialand aimed to revitalise associated economic sectors.
Source:www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistan-turkey-defense-ties-boost-naval-capabilities-admiral/3398745″>https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistan-turkey-defense-ties-boost-naval-capabilities-admiral/3398745
Source: www.dawn.com/news/1876543″>https://www.dawn.com/news/1876543
