Pakistan Navy warship in Jeddah as part of regional security patrol

Undated photo for Pakistan Naval Ship ‘PNS ASLAT’. ( Courtesy Pakistan Navy )

• Deployment aimed at ensuring maritime security in line with Pakistan's policy and international obligations
• ASLAT is a front line warship "capable of undertaking wide range of maritime operations in multi-threat environment”

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy Ship ASLAT with an embarked AL-43 helicopter visited the Jeddah Port of Saudi Arabia as part of overseas deployment for Regional Maritime Security Patrols in the Arabian Sea, the Pakistan Navy said in a statement on Saturday.
Deployment of the Pakistani Navy ship is aimed at ensuring maritime security in the region in line with the Pakistan government’s policy and international obligations.
“PNS ASLAT is front line warship of Pakistan Navy Fleet and fourth ship of Sword Class frigate project; built at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works,” Pakistan Navy said, adding that “the ship is fitted with state of the art weapons and sensors, capable of undertaking wide range of maritime operations in multi-threat environment.”
Commander Replenishment Group Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) Western Fleet along with the Joint Operations Center Jeddah welcomed the Pakistani Ship at Jeddah port.
Commanding Officer ASLAT, Captain Shafiq Ur Rehman, met with Saudi Navy officials and highlighted that the visit was a part of a multifaceted long-term collaboration between the two navies. 
“Pakistan and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are tied in eternal bonds of religion and brotherhood,” the Pakistan Navy statement said. “The visit by ASLAT will further enhance Pakistan Navy’s bilateral relations with Royal Saudi Naval Forces in diverse avenues.” 
Last month, on June 29, three Saudi naval officers were among 175 graduates of the Pakistan naval academy’s 111th course commissioning parade in Karachi, where the commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily, was the chief guest.
While addressing the graduating officers, Al-Ghofaily highlighted the close collaboration between the armed forces of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, and said there was a common desire in both nations for regional peace and stability.