ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy has conducted a bilateral Exercise TURGUTREIS-XIII with Turkish Naval Force to enhance maritime cooperation between the two countries, a military statement said on Friday.
The newly commissioned, state-of-the-art Pakistan Navy Ship KHAIBAR, during its maiden voyage from Türkiye to Pakistan, visited Aksaz Naval Base and held joint patrols with ships of the Turkish Navy, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
“During the stay at Aksaz, the Commanding Officer of PNS KHAIBAR called on the Turkish Southern Sea Area Commander,” it added.
#ISPR
Rawalpindi, 13 February, 2026:The newly commissioned, state-of-the-art Pakistan Navy Ship KHAIBAR, during its maiden voyage from #Türkiye to #Pakistan, visited Aksaz Naval Base, Türkiye, and participated in Exercise TURGUTREIS-XIII and joint patrols with ships of the… pic.twitter.com/u2o6OoZOA2
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) February 13, 2026
During the meeting, both sides discussed strengthening bilateral naval cooperation and promoting regional stability through joint initiatives.
Subsequently, the Southern Sea Area Commander and the Commander of Aksaz Naval Base, accompanied by other officers of the Turkish Naval Forces, visited PNS KHAIBAR.
“Following the port visit, PNS KHAIBAR participated in the PN-TN bilateral Exercise TURGUTREIS-XIII with Turkish Naval Forces ship TCG HEYBELIADA and a TNF SH-70 helicopter,” the ISPR statement said.
The exercise included a range of complex sea manoeuvres aimed at rehearsing joint maritime operations and improving interoperability between the two navies.
At the conclusion of the exercise, PNS KHAIBAR and TCG HEYBELIADA carried out a Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
The successful execution of Exercise TURGUTREIS-XIII and the subsequent CORPAT reflects the enduring strategic partnership and close fraternal ties between Pakistan and Türkiye.
Pakistan and Turkiye maintain close and robust diplomatic, economic and defence relations, with military cooperation forming a major pillar of their partnership.
In December 2025, a high-level delegation of Turkish aerospace and defence manufacturers visited Pakistan to explore joint ventures, co-production and technology-sharing opportunities.
In August 2025, the navies of both countries conducted their first bilateral amphibious exercise to strengthen maritime coordination.
Turkish defence firms have played a key role in modernising Pakistan’s Agosta 90B-class submarines and have supplied Islamabad with advanced military hardware, including drones.
The two countries also regularly conduct joint military drills. Their most recent exercise, Ataturk-XIII in February 2025, brought together special forces units for combat training aimed at improving their ability to operate effectively together in the field.
