Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi visited Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) headquarters in Bahrain, March 15.

During the visit he met with Commodore Abdul Munib SI (M), the Pakistan Navy Commander of CTF-151, and Royal Navy Commodore Ed Ahlgren, deputy commander of CMF, to discuss Pakistan’s contribution to the enduring CMF partnership, and the ongoing success in deterring piracy from the Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Oman.

Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, Pakistan Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Curt Renshaw, deputy commander of NAVCENT/U.S. Navy 5th Fleet, and Commodore Abdul Munib SI (M), stand together with CTF-151 staff representing eight different nations. (Photo: Lieutenant Nicholas M Stevenson Royal Navy)

In the past year, there have been no successful piracy attempts on merchant vessels in the CTF-151 area of operations; no mean feat given the vast area of water covered.

“CMF works so well because of the relationship between strategic partners, regional forces and international organizations to deliver maritime security operations and to build maritime security across the region,” said Ahlgren. “This in turn will benefit the overall commercial and military shipping industry by helping to safeguard these waters from illicit behaviour on the high seas.”

(L to R:) Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, Pakistan Chief of Naval Staff; Commodore Shahid Wasif, Personal Secretary to Adm Niazi; Commodore Craig Wood, Commander International Maritime Security Construct; Commodore Edward Ahlgren, Deputy Commander Combined Maritime Forces, attending a brief at CMF HQ in Bahrain, March 15, 2021. (Photo: MC2 Jordan Crouch, US Navy)

Pakistan assumed command of CTF-151 for the 9th time in December 2020, marking the twentieth command tenure by the country’s naval force; “The Chief of Naval Staff visit underpins Pakistan’s continued commitment and resolve to join hands with coalition partners against common threats,” said Munib.

Recent endeavours, including the Focused Operation Tahaffuz which took place at the beginning of March, are an ideal example of the coalition model at work. This saw nine different nations participating in large-scale joint maritime and air patrols all aimed at improving interoperability whilst deterring illicit activity.