SEASPARK 2026 tests Navy's war readiness

Summary Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf visited Pakistan Navy units deployed at sea and in the Creeks Area on Sunday to review the ongoing Exercise SEASPARK 2026 and assess their operational preparedness. SEASPARK is conducted biennially and provides the Pakistan Navy with an opportunity to assess its operational capabilities through a large-scale maritime exercise. The exercise comes amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India over naval activities in the Arabian Sea. AI Generated Summary Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf visited Pakistan Navy units deployed at sea and in the Creeks Area on Sunday to review the ongoing Exercise SEASPARK 2026 and assess their operational preparedness. The exercise has been underway since September 1 and is designed to rehearse the Pakistan Navy's ability to conduct a wide range of maritime operations. It also tests the forces' readiness to quickly shift from peacetime duties to wartime operations. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, this year's exercise reflects the changing nature of modern warfare. It incorporates operations in the information environment, multi-domain operations and extensive use of unmanned systems. During his visit, Admiral Ashraf met personnel taking part in the exercise and praised their professionalism, morale and operational readiness. He also appreciated their commitment to maintaining a strong presence and preparedness at sea. SEASPARK is conducted biennially and provides the Pakistan Navy with an opportunity to assess its operational capabilities through a large-scale maritime exercise. The 2026 edition focuses on integrating emerging technologies and modern operational concepts with conventional maritime capabilities. The exercise comes amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India over naval activities in the Arabian Sea. Pakistan recently summoned India's Charge d'Affaires in Islamabad to lodge a strong protest over what it described as provocative manoeuvres by the Indian Navy inside Pakistan's Exclusive Economic Zone. Pakistan's Foreign Office said the Indian Navy's INS Kolkata and a helicopter operating from the vessel had repeatedly attempted to enter the area where the Pakistani exercise was being conducted. Islamabad also alleged that the Indian warship carried out manoeuvres close to Pakistan Navy vessels despite warnings. Pakistan said the activities were not a routine deployment and alleged that they violated the 1991 India-Pakistan agreement concerning advance notification of military exercises, manoeuvres and troop movements.