KARACHI, Nov 24: The marine phase of a Sino-Pakistan naval exercise commenced in the Arabia Sea on Thursday, according to an Inter Services Public Relations (Navy) statement issued here.

The statement said that surface ships along with helicopters were pitched and tested in the wartime scenario including the rehearsal of a collective response to large-scale disasters like a tsunami.

The joint exercise also included search and rescue from helicopters, advanced manoeuvres and cross deck transfers, etc.

The exercise offered an excellent opportunity to the two country’s navies to refine interoperability and tactical proficiency, the ISPR statement said. The officers and men from both sides got a chance to dwell upon their standard operating procedures and figure out areas where improvement could be made.

For the Pakistan Navy it was a perfect setting to closely monitor the characteristics and operational capabilities of Chinese technology, it said.

With “Chinese ships already in its inventory, Pakistan Navy has shaped its course for acquisition of F-22 P frigates,” it added.—APP