The opening ceremony of the 9th International Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) Competition–2026 was held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Pabbi, on Tuesday. The event marks the beginning of a 60-hour-long patrolling exercise designed to strengthen cooperation among military contingents from friendly nations.
A total of 24 international teams from 19 countries are participating, along with military observers. Participating nations include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, the United States, and Uzbekistan. Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand are attending as observers.
From Pakistan, 16 teams representing the Army and Navy are taking part, with additional observers from the Air Force.
The PATS exercise is an annual, mission-specific, task-oriented military training program. It tests soldiers’ physical fitness, mental resilience, and tactical skills while simulating near-real operational conditions. Participants are required to make rapid decisions while completing challenging sub-tactical missions.
The exercise aims to foster teamwork and perseverance among participants. It also provides a platform to share innovative ideas, best practices, and enhance interoperability among the participating forces.
Officials highlighted that the competition promotes professional excellence and mutual learning, further strengthening ties between Pakistan’s armed forces and their international counterparts.
