Talking to IRNA, Captain Ali Jahanbakhsh, commanding officer of the flotilla, said that ‘objective of our visit is to enhance cooperation with the regional countries especially Pakistan in defense sector'.
Iranian officer further said that the fleet comprises of four naval ships Khanjar, Falakhon, Hendijan, Daylam and a Submarine Ghadir 953.
He added that Iranian fleet was accorded a warm welcome by senior officers of Pakistan Navy as it arrived at Karachi port.
He said that at the end of the visit, the Iranian and Pakistani navies will conduct a customary passage exercise at sea, which includes various naval drills.
Captain Ali Jahanbakhsh said that Iranian naval fleet is paying a reciprocal visit as last month Pakistani naval fleet had visited Iran to hold joint naval drills.
He said that holding of joint naval drills with the regional states shows naval strength of Iran. “The purpose of holding naval drills in free waters is to train our soldiers,” he said.
Iran’s military attaché in Pakistan Colonel Manoochehr Aslani, speaking to IRNA, termed the arrival of Iranian naval fleet as highly significant which would help in boosting defense ties between the two neighboring states.
He said that the commander of flotilla will meet senior officers of Pakistan Navy and will also visit various naval training, maintenance and operational facilities. He said that the Iranian naval fleet will leave on May 6.
Pakistan media has also widely reported the arrival of Iranian naval flotilla.
Earlier a statement by Pakistan Navy had said that such goodwill visits by naval ships are meant for flag showing and are regular features between navies. In this regard, Pakistan Navy ships also keep visiting various regional countries including Iran to enhance bilateral co-operation. Such visits help in promoting peace and security in the region and are in line with the policies of government to enhance maritime collaboration with regional and extra-regional countries.
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Islamabad, May 2, IRNA – Iranian naval fleet comprising four naval ships and a submarine arrived at Pakistan’s Karachi port on Friday on a five-day goodwill mission.
