KARACHI: Newly commissioned PNS Khaibar, on her maiden voyage from Turkiye to Pakistan, made a port call at Aksaz Naval Base, marking a significant milestone in her journey to join the Pakistan Navy fleet.
During the visit, the ship’s Commanding Officer called on the Base Commander, Vice Admiral Rafet Oktar. Senior officers of the Turkish Navy later visited the vessel, underscoring the close professional links between the two navies.
The port call was followed by a series of operational engagements in the Eastern Mediterranean. PNS Khaibar conducted Exercise Turgutreis XIII with TCG Heybeliada, alongside an SH-70 helicopter. The exercise formed part of ongoing bilateral naval cooperation between Pakistan and Turkiye and focused on enhancing operational coordination at sea.
The joint drill was followed by a coordinated patrol, or CORPAT, in the Eastern Mediterranean. The activity aimed at strengthening maritime security cooperation and improving interoperability between the Pakistan Navy and the Turkish Navy in a complex operational environment.
The engagements at sea reflected the growing depth of defence collaboration between the two countries. Exercise Turgutreis XIII, held with TCG Heybeliada and supported by an SH-70 helicopter, provided an opportunity for both sides to refine communication procedures, tactical manoeuvres and joint response capabilities.
The coordinated patrol further demonstrated the ability of both navies to operate seamlessly together, reinforcing mutual trust and shared maritime objectives. Such engagements are a regular feature of Pakistan-Türkiye naval cooperation and are designed to promote regional stability and collective security in international waters.
PNS Khaibar’s maiden voyage has thus combined ceremonial engagements with substantive operational interaction, highlighting her role as a newly inducted asset of the Pakistan Navy.
