Pak-Saudi navies to conduct exercise 'Naseem Al Bahr X' including Electronic Warfare simulation

Naval forces from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are all set to take part in the tenth annual 'Naseem Al Bahr' maritime exercise.

This year's exercise is meant to revitalize operational preparedness of both countries' sea forces. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy a historical strategic relationship especially in matters of defence and security; since long, Pakistan's armed forces have been at the fore of training their Saudi Arabian allies in all three domains (terrestrial, aerial and maritime). As a matter of fact, the current Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Dakheel-Allah bin Ahmad bin Mohammad al-Wakadani's alma mater is the prestigious Pakistan Naval Academy.

The South Asia region, in particular Asia Pacific with the inclusion of the Indian Ocean, faces increasing threats from strategic game-planners. The US and Iran are at a stand-off on one hand, piracy is rampant near and around Africa and the Gulf of Aden and on the other, Pakistan and India are building up their respective sea defences keeping in view the warming geopolitical climate.

As reported on Terminal X earlier, the Indian Navy has embarked on new frontiers by setting up naval bases in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. More recently, Indian Coast Guard commissioned Mayabunder station in North Andaman Islands.

According to renowned defence analyst Sultan M. Hali, what sets this year's upcoming naval exercises apart is the fact that for the first time, it is being launched from the Jinnah Naval Base at Ormara.

The 10-day exercise will be conducted between January 12 and 22, 2013 involving surface, aerial and sub-surface manoeuvrings. This is in light of the development by which the country's maritime forces, besides the other two arms, has considerably shifted focus from conventional tactical warfare to quite a  strategic one, with emphasis on long-term contingency plans in lieu of aggression from regional and non-regional stakeholders alike. 

However, no strategic weapons will be tested as per claims. To date, the naval variant of Babur has remained a mystery with some analysts openly saying such a make doesn't exist at all, atleast in working prototype.

Apart from joint drills involving counter-piracy measures, offence/defence practices, instructional sessions on maritime strategy and most importantly, Electronic Warfare will be simulated in real-time environment. Of late, Iran conducted EW drills in a show of defiance to Arab states and the US over the Strait of Hormuz tension.

Analyst Sultan M. Hali further mentions that besides sea-based training, both the Pakistan Marines and their Saudi counterparts will conduct a joint counter-terrorism exercise in the rugged Ormara Hills of Balochistan which overlook the Makran coastline.