China and Pakistan have initiated their most extensive joint naval exercise, the Sea Guardian-3, aimed at strengthening their collaborative capabilities in protecting strategic sea routes and regional peace and stability. The opening ceremony took place at the Karachi Naval Dockyard, marking the beginning of the nine-day exercise in the northern Arabian Sea.
The participating forces from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy include the Type 052D guided missile destroyer Zibo, the Type 054A guided missile destroyers Jingzhou and Linyi, along with a conventional attack submarine, a submarine support ship, and a marines corps detachment. The exercise, dedicated to responding to maritime security threats, encompasses various training courses, including formation maneuvering, VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure), helicopter cross-deck landing, joint search and rescue, joint anti-submarine activities, and main gun shooting.
Rear Admiral Liang Yang, commander at a PLA Navy base and the general director of the exercise from the Chinese side, expressed the goal of enhancing the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and deepening professional cooperation. Admiral M Amjad Khan Niazi, chief of the naval staff of the Pakistan Navy, highlighted the exercises’ role in fostering interoperability and sharing experiences to address contemporary security threats.
According to Wei Dongxu, a Chinese military expert, the joint drills serve common interests in safeguarding strategic sea lanes, especially in the Indian Ocean, where piracy, terrorism, and other threats impact maritime transport. The exercises also contribute to the peace and stability of the Indian Ocean region and support the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a crucial component of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Beyond joint drills, China-Pakistan naval cooperation involves high-level visits, expert talks, training exchanges, and equipment collaboration. Recent deliveries, including four Type 054A/P guided missile frigates and ongoing construction of Hangor-class submarines, exemplify the deepening cooperation, prompting expectations for further collaboration between the PLA Navy and the Pakistan Navy in the future.
