ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, on Saturday visited forward posts in the Creeks Area to review operational readiness, where three state-of-the-art 2400 TD hovercraft were formally inducted into the Pakistan Marines, enhancing the Navy’s capability to operate across challenging coastal and littoral zones.
During the visit, the Naval Chief reviewed the operational preparedness and combat readiness of the Pakistan Navy.
The induction of state-of-the-art 2400 TD Hovercraft into the Pakistan Marines marks another significant stride in modernizing Pakistan Navy’s operational capabilities, said a news release issued by the Director General Public Relations (Pakistan Navy).
The newly inducted Hovercraft are capable of simultaneously operating over a variety of surfaces, including shallow waters, sand dunes, marshy and boggy littoral zones, and can ply in areas where traditional craft are neither suitable nor designed to operate.
This unique capability of undertaking simultaneous operations over land and sea provides an edge to the Pakistan Marines in the performance of their assigned tasks.
The advanced Hovercraft will also strengthen Pakistan Navy’s capabilities for an effective and decisive response against all adversaries, the news release added.
While addressing officers and men on the occasion, the Naval Chief highlighted that the induction of these new platforms symbolizes Pakistan Navy’s vision to modernize and reaffirm its unwavering resolve in bolstering the defence of the country’s maritime frontiers, coastal belt, particularly the Creeks Area.
Admiral Naveed Ashraf further reiterated that Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) and maritime security are not just a military requirement; it is a cornerstone of our nation’s sovereignty and a vital pillar of economic prosperity and stability.
He emphasised that the Pakistan Navy is the vanguard of peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region and a significant stakeholder in regional maritime security.
“We know how to defend our sovereignty and every inch of our Maritime frontiers from Sir Creek to Jiwani”, he added.
The Naval Chief reaffirmed the nation, that Pakistan Navy’s defence capabilities stand as strong as our unwavering morale, from the shores to the sea.
