The Pakistan Navy is determined to safeguard the maritime frontiers of Pakistan "against all threats," said Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, Chief of Naval Staff.

Speaking before the navy's Command and Staff Conference, Adm. Zakaullah also drove home the point the navy will continue to play a significant role in maintaining peace and stability in the Indian Ocean a more complex and challenging security environment.

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He urged navy commanders to remain at the highest state of preparedness and maintain a constant vigil in their areas of responsibility.

He praised commanders for the successful conduct of AMAN-17, a multinational naval exercise at Karachi involving more than 37 countries. He described AMAN-17 as a clear testimony of the poise and confidence in Pakistan by regional and extra regional countries.

AMAN 17 was launched Feb. 10 and nine countries sent their warships to the naval exercise. These countries were Australia, China, Indonesia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan and Russia.

AMAN 17 was the fifth naval exercise of its kind. Pakistan has been holding the exercise on alternate years since 2007.

Adm. Zakaullah was also proud of the successful test launch last week of Zarb, a land-based anti-ship missile (AShM). The test launch saw the Zarb missile successfully strike a moored target out to sea. It's the second known test launch of a Zarb since April 2016.

Adm. Zakaullah said the Zarb weapon system "has added a new dimension in the operational reach of the Pakistan Navy."

He noted Zarb will be capable of further supporting the seaward defense of Pakistan by "having the capability of launching long-range anti-ship missiles from land."

The navy claims Zarb is equipped with advanced technology and avionics, allowing it to hit sea-based targets with a high degree of accuracy.

TagsPakistan Navy, Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, Chief of Naval Staff, AMAN-17, Zarb anti-ship missile