ISLAMABAD: The Italian Navy’s Carrier Strike Group comprising an aircraft carrier and a frigate arrived in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi this week, the navy confirmed, for a three-day visit to enhance regional maritime security and defense cooperation between the two countries.
The visiting Italian fleet comprises aircraft carrier Cavour and the Alpino frigate, which arrived in Karachi on Monday. The group was welcomed by Pakistan Navy’s senior officials and Italian Ambassador to Pakistan Marilina Armellin upon their arrival.
The visit marks the first ever by an Italian aircraft carrier to Pakistan.
“The Italian Navy Carrier Strike Group comprising Aircraft Carrier Cavour and frigate Alpino arrived in Karachi on a three-day visit followed by a bilateral exercise,” the Pakistan Navy said in a statement on Monday.
A delegation led by Armellin and Rear Admiral Stefano Barbieri called on Pakistan Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Abdul Munib to discuss “matters of mutual interest including interoperability and avenues for future collaboration,” the Pakistan Navy said.
Karachi Commander Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi also visited Cavour where he was briefed about the aircraft carrier’s capabilities by Italian Commanding Officer Captain Francesco Fagnani.
During the media brief, the Italian officials “endorsed the role of Pakistan Navy in regional maritime security and highlighted the importance of interoperability between the two navies,” Pakistan Navy said.
The Italian defense industries’ capabilities were also showcased in a Defense Industries Exhibition held aboard the warship Alpino.
In September, Italian Navy ship Morosini visited Karachi to conduct a bilateral exercise with the Pakistan Navy to bolster interoperability between the two forces.
