KARACHI: US and Pakistani naval forces conducting bilateral exercises

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KARACHI: The US and Pakistani naval forces are conducting bilateral exercises code named 'Inspired Union' and 'Inspired Response'. The exercises which began on May 10 will last till May 20.

An Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) Navy press release issued here on Sunday said that the exercises were a yearly feature meant to enhance inter-operability between the two naval forces and improve maritime security.

It said that the exercise between ships of the two navies had been divided in harbor and sea phases. The sea phase would include serials designed to refine war-fighting tactics, practice command and control, and fight asymmetric threats.

Two surface ships USS Lake Champlain and USS Halyburton are participating in the exercise from the US side, while from Pakistan PNS Khaibar, PNS Tariq, missile boats and aviation units are participating.

Concurrently, the Special Operations Forces (SOF) of both navies will also conduct exercises. The focus of SOF exercises is explosive ordnance disposal, demolition and deep-sea diving.-PPI