It is remarkable to note that three of the Saudi naval chiefs were trained at Pakistan Naval Academy.
Observed closely, Pak-Saudi bond has all the markers of the Four Ships, and how best to see its realization at sea between Pakistani and Saudi maritime forces. Referring to the ‘Four Ships’ as the most relevant in the world today, US Vice Admiral Brad Cooper in his address at Pakistan Naval Academy on 14 October 2021, noted that this could prove pivotal in combating modern-day threats and challenges. Pak-Saudi bond can be seen through the ‘Cooper’s Four Ships’, i.e., partnerships, friendships, relationships forged under a forward-looking leadership. Recent edition of Naseem al Bahr and the naval warfare evolutions conducted in it are a testimony of ever growing superior strategic brotherhood. Contrary to such aspersions, as those of Kumaraswamy’s, Pak-Saudi military relations, especially the maritime ones, continue to see an upward trajectory. Banking on obvious conjectures, he refers to ‘dilution in Pak-Saudi relations’ that had paved the way for establishing Indo-Saudi strategic relations. P R Kumaraswamy, in his book ‘India’s Saudi Policy: Bridge to the Future’, posits that India’s lack of strong relations with Saudi Arabia had always something to do with ‘Pakistan factor’. This significantly assures Pakistan’s friendly countries to maintain presence of substantial military students and be part of the military maneuvers on very regular basis.
Pakistan military training units do not discriminate between their own and friendly countries’ students and make sure that the ones from foreign nations are educated with the same solid professional foundations just as Pakistani learners. Pak-Saudi maritime relationships are based on trust, and in the words of Simon Sinek, one could truly argue that this trust was not surged but progressively grew with the passage of time. Most of the Gulf countries have unquestioned trust in Pakistan’s military education system, and continue to send their officers and sailors in Pakistani military institutions regularly. Maritime bond between Pakistan and the regional countries is one of the most conspicuous, natural and strongest in the world. Prime Minister Imran Khan noted, “Anyone who comes to power in Pakistan will visit Saudi Arabia first as the two countries share a strong people to people relationship”. Prince Turki bin Faisal once described relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as “probably one of the closest relationships in the world between any two countries”. Saudi Arabia, on its part remained the most dependable, trustworthy and a reliable friend by being there for Pakistan under all thick and thin. Pakistan has always considered Saudi Arabia as the most important country and maintained consistent relationships despite internal political and governmental changes.
Terming Pakistan as “Saudi Arabia’s closest Muslim ally”, British historian Robert Lacey rightly puts Pak-Saudi bilateral relationships in the perspective, which is free from geopolitical transitions and both countries’ foreign policy orientations. Referring to some of the key moments in Pak-Saudi relationships, it is important to describe some views here. Naseem al Bahr uniquely provides a platform for the service members of both the countries to share their personal and professional experiences of war fighting that ultimately enriches the combat capacity and refines doctrinal procedures of both Pakistan and Saudi naval forces. Overwhelming inclination of Saudi naval ships, aircraft and Saudi air force to be part of Naseem al Bahr, despite corona pandemic, echoes Saudi military’s operational urge to remain responsive, ready and adaptive to changing environment of threats and challenges. Naseem al Bahr featured, beside naval maneuvers, discussions on changing character of maritime threats, maritime operational law and efficient interoperability mechanics. It is expected the next edition would comprise further strands of warfare including cyber and space warfare. This time Saudi air force’s F-15 aircraft also participated in the exercise extending operational space of the event. All dimensions of surface, air and anti-submarine warfare are exercised, enabling personnel of the two services to use modern technology, evolving tactics and effective communication to be better prepared for the future. Interoperability between the military units of the two navies now stands at a supreme level, where diverse, relevant and modern naval warfare drills are conducted. Operational duration and objectives steadily grew from simple maneuvers to actual application of combat power. The first edition of the exercise was held in 1993. ‘Naseem al Bahr’ is major maritime exercise, which is regularly conducted between the two countries.