ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy said its newly commissioned Yamama ship visited Jeddah on Tuesday where it met the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) leadership and held a passage exercise (PASSEX) with the Kingdom’s ‘Makkah’ ship, saying the activities were designed to strengthen cooperation and foster interoperability.
Yamama is Pakistan Navy’s fourth Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) that it says is equipped with advanced technologies and designed to operate in contested maritime environments. Upon its arrival at Jeddah port, the ship was received by senior RSNF officials and representatives from the Pakistan Embassy, the navy said.
During its stay, the ship’s crew engaged in professional activities, including cross-ship visits, table-top discussions on maritime issues and meetings with the RSNF leadership.
“Following the port visit, PNS YAMAMA conducted a PASSEX with HMS Makkah,” Pakistan Navy said. “The exercise was designed to strengthen naval cooperation and enhance interoperability between the two navies. Both forces reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring maritime security and promoting regional stability.”
The statement said Yamama’s visit to Saudi Arabia and the passage exercise further reinforced “strong brotherly relations” and defense collaboration between the two countries.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong defense ties and bilateral security cooperation. The two nations regularly engage in joint air, ground and sea military exercises while several cadets from the Kingdom, along with counterparts from other Middle Eastern nations, annually visit Pakistan to undergo specialized military training.
Apart from defense and security ties, Pakistan enjoys strong economic and trade relations with Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is home to over two million Pakistani expatriates, serving as the top source of remittances for the cash-strapped South Asian country.
