Pakistan Navy took command of Task Force 151 for the 11th time.
According to a statement issued by the Department of Pakistan Army Public Relations (ISPR), the change of command ceremony took place at the Combined Maritime Forces Headquarters in Bahrain, where Commodore Sohail Ahmed Azmi, Pakistan Navy, was named the new Combined Task Force Commander. -151.
Before that, the command belonged to the Turkish Navy.
According to Pakistan Army Spokesperson Commodore Sohail Ahmed Azmi said Pakistan Navy will continue to collaborate with naval forces of other countries to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Combined Task Force 151 provides maritime security, prevents piracy and combats terrorism at sea.
The ceremony took place in the presence of the ambassadors of Pakistan and Turkey, as well as other diplomatic and military figures.
A few days ago, the Pakistan Navy had taken a significant lead over India in the field of air-independent propulsion (AIP) technology, and further progress is expected.
The Pakistan Navy has reportedly surpassed the Indian Navy in adopting AIP technology, with Chinese-built Hangor-class submarines expected to join its fleet as per schedule.
India’s recent addition of the sixth and final submarine to the P-75 Scorpene project, along with a stealth frigate and a guided-missile destroyer, still falls short of Pakistan’s capabilities.
Despite this, the Indian naval fleet remains devoid of submarines equipped with modern technologies, while Pakistan has already integrated three French-made Agosta-90B submarines (PNS Khalid, Saad and Hamza) into its fleet.
Earlier, the Pakistan Navy officially relinquished command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, handing over leadership to Commodore Rodger Ward of the Royal New Zealand Navy in a ceremony at Naval Support Activity, Bahrain.
The event was attended by Vice Admiral George Wikoff, Commander Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), according to a statement from the Directorate General of Public Relations of the Pakistan Navy.
During its tenure from July 2024 to January 2025, the Pakistan Navy played a key role in maritime security operations. Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency vessels independently interdicted three narcotics-laden dhows, collectively seizing around 10 tonnes of narcotics worth more than $50 million.
