RAWALPINDI – Pakistan and Turkey on Tuesday commenced a three-week-long joint military exercise called “ATATURK-XI 2021” involving special forces in northwestern Pakistan.
The opening ceremony of the exercise was held at the Special Service headquarters in Tarbela, Khyber Pakhtunkwa (K-P).
Turkish Special Forces and troops of Pakistani Army’s elite Special Services Group are taking part in the drill.
The military exercise includes, counter-terrorism, close quarter battle, cordon and search, rappelling, fire and move techniques, helicopter rappelling, compound clearance, hostage and rescue and free fall operations.
Pakistan-Turkey joint military exercise ATATURK-XI will further strengthen the bond of two brotherly nations and will help in adapting the emerging trend in military modernization and cooperation@OfficialDGISPR https://t.co/KfnHH0yN8l pic.twitter.com/nVGi9BnXLt
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) February 9, 2021
“The joint military exercise will further strengthen the bond of two brotherly nations and will help in adapting the emerging trends in military modernization and cooperation,” a statement issued by the ISPR said.
Ankara and Islamabad have amplified defense and military cooperation in recent years.
In July 2018, Pakistan Navy inked a contract to acquire four Turkish-built MILGEM corvettes with Turkish state-owned defense contractor ASFAT.
Two of the corvettes will be built in Turkey and the next two will be manufactured in Pakistan with an aim of transfer of technology.
