Two Pakistan Navy vessels have arrived in the naval port of Simon’s Town for a short port visit. The destroyer PNS Tippu Sultan and the combat support ship PNS Nasr are visiting from 10 to 13 December 2012. Their entry into the port was slightly delayed by a strong South Easter wind blowing in False Bay. The purpose of the ships’ visit is to maintain the Pakistan Navy’s international contact with the South African Navy and also to enhance bilateral relations between Pakistan and South Africa.

 According to the South African Navy (SAN), the relationship between the two navies has been improving steadily and this visit to Simon’s Town by the Pakistan Navy ships presents an ideal opportunity to further strengthen the existing ties between the two navies. To further cement the closeness between Pakistan’s and South Africa’s navies, Chief of the Staff, Pakistan Navy, Admiral Mohammed Asif Sandila will also be visiting South Africa in the same timeframe. 

 The Pakistan Navy conducts anti-piracy patrols near the African coast. It has been part of the international Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) since January 2009 in an effort to combat piracy in the Gulf of Aden. The Pakistani Navy will shortly be taking over from the Turkish Navy as the Command of Combined Task Force 151. Prior to arriving in South African waters, the two vessels visited the Seychelles, where discussions centred on the anti-piracy efforts in the region and the work of naval coalitions. In a departure from the norm for foreign vessels berthed in Simon’s Town, the two ships will be open to the public from 3:00 PM to 5:00PM on Tuesday 11 December.