ISPR says exercise was designed to rehearse the ‘full spectrum of maritime operations

KARACHI: Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf on Sunday visited Pakistan Navy units deployed at sea and in the Creeks Area to review the ongoing Exercise SEASPARK 2026, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The biennial exercise has been underway since September 1 and is designed to test the Pakistan Navy’s operational preparedness and ability to quickly shift from peacetime to wartime operations.

According to ISPR, the exercise covers a wide range of maritime operations and reflects changes in modern warfare. This year, it includes operations in the information environment, multi-domain operations and extensive use of unmanned systems.

During his visit, Admiral Ashraf met personnel taking part in the exercise and praised their professionalism, morale, operational readiness and commitment to maritime security.

The naval chief’s visit comes amid a recent maritime dispute between Pakistan and India during the ongoing exercise.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office on September 16 summoned the Indian Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad and lodged a strong protest over the presence and manoeuvres of Indian Navy vessel INS Kolkata in Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on September 15.

According to the Foreign Office, the Indian vessel carried out manoeuvres close to a Pakistani naval ship while SEASPARK-26 was underway. Pakistan said the incident violated international law and the 1991 bilateral agreement concerning advance notice of military exercises and manoeuvres.

India has also lodged a diplomatic protest with Pakistan over the naval incident.

Exercise SEASPARK 2026 is one of Pakistan Navy’s major biennial exercises and is being conducted to assess operational readiness across different maritime domains.