China, Pakistan navies to conduct first maritime patrols as part of week-long drills in Arabian Sea

The two all-weather allies China and Pakistan are conducting coordinated marine patrols for the first time as part of a week-long drills in the Arabian Sea, according to a media source on Monday.

In drills that involve anti-submarine operations, the Chinese and Pakistani navy began the 'Sea Guardians-3' exercise on Saturday in the waters and airspace of the northern Arabian Sea at a naval station in Karachi, Dawn News reported.

The exercises are scheduled to conclude on Friday.

As part of the exercise, China and Pakistan will conduct joint maritime patrols for the first time, PTI quoted Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defence, as saying.

With the theme of "joint response to maritime security threats", the exercise will include formation movement, VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure), helicopter cross-deck landing, search and rescue, anti-submarine operations, Wu was quoted as saying by China Military News website in a recent report.

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He said some professional exchanges and mutual visits will also be included as part of the exercises.

"This is the third time for China and Pakistan to hold such an exercise, aiming to consolidate the all-weather strategic partnership and traditional friendship between the two countries, and strengthen realistic combat training of the two militaries," the Chinese military spokesperson added.

With inputs from agencies