Admiral
Naveed Ashraf

The maritime security environment in the North Arabian Sea and wider Indian Ocean has become increasingly complex and unpredictable. Geopolitical competition, conflict in the Middle East, pressures on maritime trade and energy from converging conventional and grey-hybrid threats, proliferation of disruptive technologies and continuing capability development in our immediate neighbourhood, have profound implications for Pakistan's maritime security.

Our priorities remain clear, foremost being to ensure maritime security and uninterrupted Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) along with maintenance of credible deterrence against threats from sea while contributing to regional stability through a collaborative approach. Pakistan's leadership has played a constructive role in facilitating dialogue between US and lran, while Pakistan Navy has maintained continuous presence in the North Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman to reassure and assist national and international shipping through Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr, launched in March 2026.

Our force development is aligned with these requirements. We are developing a balanced, technologically advanced, innovative and adaptive force across surface, sub-surface and air domains while strengthening maritime domain awareness, unmanned capabilities, cyber and space enabled support systems and indigenous leaning technological capacity. Alongside this material modernization, our concepts and doctrines are also evolving towards multi-domain operations, enabling us to respond more effectively to an increasingly complex operating environment. We believe that regional stability is best ensured through preparedness, credible deterrence and the ability to safeguard our national interests.

The modernization you have referred to is not an end in itself. Our modernization programme is driven by the evolving threat environment, our defensive compulsions and the lessons of Marka-e-Haq, Pakistan's successful military response to aggression against us in May 2025. The objective is to build a future-ready, balanced, combat- credible and sustainable Navy capable of protecting Pakistan's maritime interests and deterring any aggression in future across the complete spectrum of conflict.

Our focus is therefore on capability-based development rather than platform-based modernization with integration of advanced sensors, precision weapons, unmanned systems, potent air defence, electronic warfare, C4lSR and maritime surveillance, alongside enhanced underwater and naval aviation capabilities. These capabilities are particularly important in our unique strategic environment, where the changing character of warfare with increasingly compressed decision timelines demand credible multi-domain options, resilience and operational readiness at all levels.

At the same time, we are investing in indigenous design, construction, maintenance and technology absorption to ensure long-term sustainability. The construction of MILGEM Class ships and HANGOR class submarines at Karachi Shipyard is a manifestation of the same approach.

As our regional responsibilities grow, strengthening of Naval Air Arm will remain a key area of our future capability development. The Sea Sultan LRMPA programme along with induction of TECNAM Sentinel aircraft is an important milestone in our broader approach in this domain.

My vision is to develop an integrated Naval Air Arm with a balanced mix of long range maritime patrol aircraft, rotary wing platforms and increasingly capable unmanned systems providing the fleet with enhanced maritime domain awareness, reach and operational flexibility. The future of Naval Air Arm will rely on increasingly manned- unmanned teaming enabled by Al, sensor fusion, autonomous systems supported by MESH network and secure communication systems, with air platforms operating as part of a wider network supporting multi-domain operations.

Indigenization is central to this effort. I see Naval R&D Institute/ Platform Design Wing working more closely with Pakistan Maritime as well as National Aerospace Science & Technology Parks, local industry, academia and our international partners to develop mission based systems, sensors, electronic warfare suites, secure data links and autonomous technologies. The aim is therefore, not simply to acquire new aircraft, but to build a networked and resilient naval aviation ecosystem that combines platforms, technology and indigenous innovation.

HANGOR class submarine programme represents a major enhancement of Pakistan Navy's underwater capability and will significantly strengthen our conventional deterrence. Equipped with AIP, advanced weapons and sensors alongwith stealth features, these submarines will provide greater endurance, operational reach and flexibility across a range of missions. But its importance goes well beyond the platform itself.

Construction of submarines at Karachi Shipyard is strengthening indigenous skills and technology absorption in one of the most complex areas of naval engineering. Our long term objective is to build national capacity to progressively construct, maintain and ultimately develop increasingly sophisticated underwater capabilities.

Looking ahead, submarines will remain central to our underwater force. However, I expect autonomous and uncrewed underwater systems to gradually complement conventional platforms, particularly in areas where persistence, flexibility and reduced risk are important.

The Jinnah-class frigate is an important milestone in Pakistan Navy's journey towards greater self reliance in warship design and construction. Building on the experience gained through the MILGEM Programme, it is intended to progressively strengthen our indigenous capability in design, construction and systems integration. It is satisfying that the programme is progressing in accordance with its planned roadmap. As Type-054A/P, MILGEM and OPV inductions consolidate, we envisage a balanced, network-enabled and multi-mission force, optimized for an increasingly contested maritime environment. Our focus will increasingly be on integration rather than numbers - linking advanced sensors, weapons, unmanned systems and data networks to enable faster decision-making and effective multi-domain operations. This will make the future surface fleet not only more capable, but also more interoperable, resilient and sustainable.

For Pakistan, maritime security and economic security are inseparable. As a key maritime stakeholder, Pakistan Navy's role is to provide secure environment and institutional support in which Blue Economy can flourish. Platforms such as PIMEC help bring government, industry and international partners together to translate this potential into investment and industrial growth. With the forthcoming PIMEC next year, we look forward to welcoming our international partners, maritime industry and investors to Pakistan and I would take this opportunity to invite them to explore the diverse opportunities offered by Pakistan's maritime sector.

A strong national shipbuilding industry is central to this effort. It is not only a defence capability but also a driver of technology, skilled employment, industrial growth and economic resilience. We therefore, see considerable scope for stronger public-private partnership, supported by foreign investment and joint ventures with trusted partners, particularly where they bring technology as well as expertise. Construction of submarine and MILGEM class corvettes at KS&EW under transfer of technology with China and Turkiye, demonstrates the value of such partnerships.

From the Navy's perspective, the ideal model would be the one that goes beyond assembling platforms. It should incorporate transfer of technology, develop local skills & supply chains and progressively build indigenous design, construction and maintenance capacity. Our long-term aim is a competitive and inclusive maritime industrial eco-system that contributes to both, our national security and economic prosperity.

Pakistan's maritime future is closely linked to its economic prosperity. As maritime trade, ports and the Blue Economy expand, so too will our responsibilities to protect Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), coastal and offshore infrastructure and the uninterrupted flow of commerce.

As Pakistan's maritime interests grow, the Navy will also need to evolve in its reach, capacity and capability. The nature and pace of that growth will be determined by our expanding maritime responsibilities, the evolving security environment and the resources available to the country. Our focus will remain on a balanced, network-enabled and technology-driven force, with enhanced Maritime Domain Awareness, integrated command and control and multi-domain operational capability.

The Navy's responsibility remains to secure and contribute optimally to Pakistan's economic growth and national prosperity.

I firmly believe that although technology is transforming warfare, people will remain decisive. Automation and Artificial Intelligence shall be critical but success to a greater extent will depend on the professionalism, character and commitment of our officers and sailors.

Therefore, my aim is to develop future-ready warfighters who are professionally competent, technologically adept, intellectually agile and capable of operating effectively in an increasingly complex multi-domain environment. This requires us to continuously adapt our training and education while encouraging initiative, critical thinking and the ability to make quick and right decisions under pressure and time compressed environment.

At the same time, technology and skill set must be anchored in character. Our enduring values of Faith, Character, Courage and Commitment remain the foundation of naval service and these are the qualities, I seek to instill in the next generation of Pakistan Navy.

The maritime challenges confronting the North Arabian Sea and wider Indian Ocean are too complex for any single navy to address them on its own. Maritime security is a shared responsibility, requiring rapid information sharing, coordinated surveillance, capacity building and interoperability to keep the global maritime commons safe and secure.

For Pakistan Navy, our message to international partners is clear; we remain committed to partnerships, regional stability and collective maritime security. As we modernize our capabilities, we will continue to contribute actively through initiatives such as Exercise AMAN, AMAN Dialogue, PIMEC and through our responsibilities in NAVAREA IX, while strengthening engagement with partner navies across the region and beyond, including information exchange through Joint Maritime Information Center.

Pakistan Navy will continue to be a reliable maritime partner, a contributor to regional peace and stability and a credible guardian of Pakistan's interests at sea. We seek cooperation with all and confrontation with none but our commitment to the defence of Pakistan remains absolute.