Islamabad, 9 March 2022 (TDI): Pakistan’s Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi is in Saudi Arabia for an official visit. During his tour, the Naval Chief met with Maj Gen Talal Abdullah Al-Otaibi, Military Advisor to the Saudi Minister of Defense, and Vice Admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al Ghofaily, Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces. The Naval Chief also attended the World Defence Show, which was hosted by the Ministry of Defense in Saudi Arabia, and spoke with the Commander of United States Naval Forces Central (NAVCENT), Vice Admiral Brad Cooper.
Separate talks with the Military Leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the NAVCENT Commander were held to address matters of mutual interest, such as bilateral defense partnership and regional maritime security.
The Naval Chief emphasized the Pakistan Navy’s important contributions to regional maritime security and stability, including participation in Regional Maritime Security Patrols and leadership of multinational naval task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
The dignitaries praised the Pakistan Navy’s efforts to promote collaborative maritime security in the region and emphasized the importance of strong bilateral defense cooperation.
The Naval Chief’s visit is expected to strengthen and develop defense cooperation between the two countries and their naval forces.
Pakistan maintains strong military ties with Saudi Arabia, providing the Saudi armed forces with extensive support, arms, and training. Pakistani soldiers have been stationed in Saudi Arabia to protect the kingdom since the 1970s. Saudi soldiers and fighter pilots have also received training from Pakistan. In 1969, Pakistani fighter pilots flew Royal Saudi Air Force planes to repel an incursion from South Yemen, and the Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers built Saudi defenses along the country’s border with Yemen.
Saudi Arabia is Pakistan’s top importer of armaments, having spent millions of dollars on small and medium conventional weapons. Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) received an export order worth $81 million from Saudi Arabia in 2016.
