Historic Pak-Saudi Military Relations; How Pakistan's Armed Forces have served to strengthen the brotherhood over the years. | World Defense

Historic Pak-Saudi Military Relations; How Pakistan's Armed Forces have served to strengthen the brotherhood over the years.

Shazam

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Pakistan Army Role In Saudi Arabia Pak-Saudi Military Relations
  • During border tensions with South Yemen in 1969, some Pakistani pilots reportedly flew fighter aircraft of Royal Saudi Air Force and provided air support to Royal army.
  • A battalion of Pakistani troops was also positioned along the Saudi-Yemen border.
  • Close to brigade strength of combat troops were placed close to Israeli-Saudi-Jordanian border during the period.
Pakistan Army Role In Saudi Arabia


  • In 1970s around 15,000 regular troops of Pakistan army were stationed in Saudi Arabia.
  • Pakistani military presence in the Kingdom further increased in the 1980s after Saudi Arabia request.
  • In December 1982 A ‘Protocol Agreement’ was concluded for ‘Deputation of Pakistan Armed Forces Personnel and Military Training’.
  • As per agreement (around 20,000 troops) of Pakistan army were stationed in different regions of the Kingdom to ensure security, mostly in Eastern province to Secure Kingdom’s oil fields in wake of Iranian Revolution’s uprising.
  • One armored brigade was deployed in Tabook from 1982 to 1988.
  • In 2001, both countries commenced a joint program for development of small weapons and ammunitions.
  • In 2005, they concluded a new ‘Military Cooperation’ agreement for defense collaboration.
  • From 2004 they have also commenced joint military exercises called the ‘Al-Assam’. First two of which, Al-Assam I & II, were conducted in Pakistan in 2004 and 2006. While, Al-Assam III was held in Saudi Arabia in 2009.
  • In 2011, three week long exercises focusing on enhancing the combat capabilities of Saudi troops in counter-terrorism operations in a low-intensity conflict environment were conducted in Pakistan.
  • Saudi Arabia also recently expressed interest in purchase of Al-Khalid tanks and JF-17 thunder fighter aircraft being jointly produced by Pakistan and China in Pakistan. Discussions between the two countries are underway presently.
  • In 2015, Saudi asked for help in Yemen crisis but due to Parliament’s pressure Pakistan decided to remain neutral militarily.
  • In Short currently Saudi led Military Alliance of Muslim countries have appointed Gen(R). Raheel Sharif to lead the military alliance’s forces is an eye opening example of strong belief in and reliance of Saudi Arabia on Pakistan’s military expertise.
  • Pakistan Army has increased its presence in the Kingdom after General Bajwa became COAS and has deployed additional troops to make the presence a near Brigade strength force.
 

Scorpion

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Indeed, Pakistan Saudi military coopration has helped shaped the Saudi forces. I wonder why the Saudi navy stopped sending students to Pakistan academy!
 

Shazam

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Indeed, Pakistan Saudi military coopration has helped shaped the Saudi forces. I wonder why the Saudi navy stopped sending students to Pakistan academy!

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In keeping with close Pak-Saudi navy tradition, Saudi officers graduate from Pakistan academy
1647121-447172985.jpg

Commander Royal Saudi Naval Forces Vice Admiral Fahad bin Abdullah Al Ghofaily presents a gold medal to a Pakistan cadet officer at the 111th course commissioning parade of Pakistan’s Naval Academy in Karachi, June 29, 2019. (Photo Courtesy – Pakistan Navy)

  • Commander of Royal Saudi Naval Forces says Pakistan has rendered countless sacrifices for peace
  • Pak-Saudi naval collaboration is historic and mutual, says former navy official
Updated 02 July 2019
NAIMAT KHAN
July 01, 2019 15:59

KARACHI: Three Saudi naval officers were among 175 graduates of the Pakistan naval academy’s 111th course commissioning parade in Karachi on Saturday, where commander of Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), Vice Admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily, was chief guest, the Saudi embassy in Islamabad said on Monday.

According to a spokesperson for the Pakistan navy, the course commissioning parade at PNS RAHBAR comprised 65 Pakistanis and 12 midshipmen from friendly countries, as well as 98 cadets of short service commission courses, which included 25 female cadets.

The event’s chief guest from the RSNF, who was himself a graduate of PNS RAHBAR in 1984, was received by Pakistan’s navy chief, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi and thanked him for the opportunity to return to his alma mater.

Addressing the graduating officers, Commander RSNF 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.

The Saudi naval commander acknowledged that Pakistan had rendered countless sacrifices in the fight against militancy and for establishing peace.

Cadets from Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar and Yemen were also part of the graduation ceremony at PNS RAHBAR.

Dr. Anjum Sarfraz, a retired commodore of Pakistan navy and a senior research fellow at Strategic Vision Institute in Islamabad, told Arab News that Pakistan’s navy had been providing training to Saudi officers and sailors during the Saudi navy’s formative period between the 1970’s and 80’s. He said officers trained by the Pakistan navy are considered some of the most professional in the world.

“After the establishment of Saudi naval academy, the selected officials of Pakistan navy would go on deputation for training of Saudi officers and sailors,” he said, and added that during the years when Saudi Arabia was acquiring its arms and equipment, Pakistani officials would provide the Saudi navy with helpful recommendations.

“Today, the Saudi navy is one of the strongest navies of the region, with state-of-the-art weapons and equipment and great leadership,” he said.

But the help always ran both ways, the former navy official added. “Saudi Arabia provided Pakistan navy with free-of-cost fuel on a few occasions,” he said, and said there had never been any reluctance shown by either parties to extend help to each other.
 

Scorpion

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View attachment 9987
In keeping with close Pak-Saudi navy tradition, Saudi officers graduate from Pakistan academy
1647121-447172985.jpg

Commander Royal Saudi Naval Forces Vice Admiral Fahad bin Abdullah Al Ghofaily presents a gold medal to a Pakistan cadet officer at the 111th course commissioning parade of Pakistan’s Naval Academy in Karachi, June 29, 2019. (Photo Courtesy – Pakistan Navy)

  • Commander of Royal Saudi Naval Forces says Pakistan has rendered countless sacrifices for peace
  • Pak-Saudi naval collaboration is historic and mutual, says former navy official
Updated 02 July 2019
NAIMAT KHAN
July 01, 2019 15:59

KARACHI: Three Saudi naval officers were among 175 graduates of the Pakistan naval academy’s 111th course commissioning parade in Karachi on Saturday, where commander of Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), Vice Admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily, was chief guest, the Saudi embassy in Islamabad said on Monday.

According to a spokesperson for the Pakistan navy, the course commissioning parade at PNS RAHBAR comprised 65 Pakistanis and 12 midshipmen from friendly countries, as well as 98 cadets of short service commission courses, which included 25 female cadets.

The event’s chief guest from the RSNF, who was himself a graduate of PNS RAHBAR in 1984, was received by Pakistan’s navy chief, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi and thanked him for the opportunity to return to his alma mater.

Addressing the graduating officers, Commander RSNF 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.

The Saudi naval commander acknowledged that Pakistan had rendered countless sacrifices in the fight against militancy and for establishing peace.

Cadets from Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar and Yemen were also part of the graduation ceremony at PNS RAHBAR.

Dr. Anjum Sarfraz, a retired commodore of Pakistan navy and a senior research fellow at Strategic Vision Institute in Islamabad, told Arab News that Pakistan’s navy had been providing training to Saudi officers and sailors during the Saudi navy’s formative period between the 1970’s and 80’s. He said officers trained by the Pakistan navy are considered some of the most professional in the world.

“After the establishment of Saudi naval academy, the selected officials of Pakistan navy would go on deputation for training of Saudi officers and sailors,” he said, and added that during the years when Saudi Arabia was acquiring its arms and equipment, Pakistani officials would provide the Saudi navy with helpful recommendations.

“Today, the Saudi navy is one of the strongest navies of the region, with state-of-the-art weapons and equipment and great leadership,” he said.

But the help always ran both ways, the former navy official added. “Saudi Arabia provided Pakistan navy with free-of-cost fuel on a few occasions,” he said, and said there had never been any reluctance shown by either parties to extend help to each other.

So I suppose that was temporary then. Why do Saudi students get trained on Pakistani subs when the Saudi navy don't operate any?
 

Mastankhan

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So I suppose that was temporary then. Why do Saudi students get trained on Pakistani subs when the Saudi navy don't operate any?

Hi

That is a priviledge and a bonus offered to Saudis.

If you have a navy and your enemy has subs, what better to learn from the oldest sub operator in the region.

The navy has to hunt subs as well.

It would also get the Saudis ready in case they want their own subs one day.

I think that the emirates should also jump in on the program as well---.

The nice thing is that the saudis are growing a new breed of soldiers for a different kind of war.
 
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