It is ascertained during the peace time and the state of readiness throughout that time, whether a state will prevail or succumb when put to trial. An efficient and pro-active force uses peace time to augment its defense by conceiving strategies, participating in various exercises to promote regional and global peace along with the up-gradation of its hardware and equipment. According to Sun Tzu, a Chinese military strategist, it is important to not rely on the likelihood of the enemy’s not coming, but on one’s own readiness to receive him, not 011 the chance of his attacking or not but rather on the fact that one has made their position unassailable. Such invincibility is only possible if a state is diligently working to buttress its defense during peace time Nevertheless, the Armed Forces of Pakistan are assiduously working to ensure operational preparedness and battle readiness by participating in various international joint exercises. Pakistan Navy in this regard has been conducting as well as participating in several such purpose of bilateral exercise is bit different, the latest example being the naval exercise ‘Mavi Balina’ conducted by Turkey.
Exercise Mavi Balina or the exercise Blue Whale is an international anti-submarine warfare exercise led by the Turkish Naval Forces. The Blue Whale exercise is a biennially held exercise. It is the considered to be the largest anti-submarine warfare exercise in the Mediterranean region, hosted and administered by the Turkish Naval Force Fleet Command. The main headquarters of the exercise is at Aksaz Naval Base and is aimed is to provide realistic operational training in submarine and surface warfare for the units and the staff of the participating states along with the promotion of friendship as well as mutual cooperation and understanding. This year the multinational exercise began on the 30′ October in the East Mediterranean and will last until the 10th of November. The participating countries include Pakistan, Bulgaria, Italy, the US Spain, Romania and Turkey. In addition to the naval assets of the other participant countries, Pakistan’s PNS Zulfiquar (F-22P Zulfiquar-class guided missile frigate) is taking part in the exercise.
Pakistan and Turkey enjoy close strategic ties which have strengthened over decades through strong diplomatic and military collaboration. However, in the light of the changing global environment, the burgeoning defense ties between the two allies are of great significance as they have the potential to further synchronize the military relations The bilateral defence and security cooperation between the two states has further increased since 2018 defence deals which resulted in Turkey being the second biggest arms supplier to Pakistan, after China. For instance, the Pakistan Navy in October 2018 commissioned a 17,000 tone Fleet Tanker which was built in collaboration with Turkish defence company STM in Karachi. Furthermore, the military-to-military relationship is exemplified by the armed forces training exchange programme, which was inaugurated in 2000.
The Mavi Balina exercise is fast evolving into an important regional forum to promote Collaborative Maritime Security and interoperability. The presence of a number of major navies and various senior delegations from important countries is indicative of the fact that Mavi Balina is developing into a common forum for both Eastern and Western navies, to share, discuss and propose solutions for Collaborative Maritime Security which is one of the critical contemporary maritime challenges. This year the exercise will be conducted in three phases. The first phase would be the force assembly part of the exercise where as in the second phase, sea training will be conducted under a certain scenario. Finally, in the last part of the exercise, evaluation meeting will be held via teleconference due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
Currently, Pakistan Navy is at par with the contemporary trends of the naval warfare and equipped to challenge both the conventional and non-conventional threats with the primary objective to defend the territorial integrity of the country. Pakistan Navy has time and again proven its professionalism and acumen by commanding CTF 150 & 151 many times along with being a respectable and capable partner of international maritime force. Moreover, Pakistan Navy is completely aware of its strategic responsibility in the region and beyond, and is conversant with the evolving geo-political and geo-strategic environment. Subsequently, in congruence with the changing global environment, Pakistan Navy is making considerable headway by participating in ventures like that of the Mavi Balina naval exercise.