Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf has been awarded the prestigious Legion of Merit by the Turkish Armed Forces. The honour was conferred by Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, during Admiral Ashraf’s official visit to Türkiye. The award recognised his outstanding role in boosting maritime cooperation and strengthening defence relations between Pakistan and Türkiye.
On his arrival at the Turkish Naval Forces Headquarters, Admiral Naveed Ashraf was presented with a guard of honour. He held a formal meeting with Admiral Tatlıoğlu, where both naval leaders discussed shared professional interests and explored new opportunities for deeper naval collaboration between the Pakistan Navy and the Turkish Naval Forces.
High-Level Defence Meetings
During his visit, Admiral Ashraf met with key Turkish defence officials, including Minister of National Defence Yasar Guler, Chief of the General Staff General Metin Gürak, and Commander of the Turkish Naval Fleet Admiral Kadir Yıldız. The talks covered regional maritime security, defence cooperation, and future joint initiatives. Admiral Ashraf highlighted the importance of joint naval exercises, frequent high-level visits, professional training exchanges, and operational partnership to enhance maritime cooperation.
Visits to Naval Facilities and MILGEM Project Review
The Naval Chief toured the Istanbul Naval Shipyard, where he received a detailed update on the Pakistan Navy’s ongoing MILGEM project. At the Golcuk Naval Base, he inspected submarine design and construction facilities. He also visited Turkish Navy units, including the warship TCG Oruçreis, the submarine Pirireis, and the National Defence University. These visits underscored the shared commitment to advancing sea security partnerships.
Honouring Türkiye’s Founding Leader
Admiral Naveed Ashraf paid tribute to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Türkiye, by laying a wreath at his mausoleum. He also met the Commander of the North Sea Area to discuss further avenues for naval ties.
Commitment to Regional Security
This visit is regarded as a significant milestone in Pakistan–Türkiye relations. Both nations reaffirmed their resolve to enhance maritime cooperation and contribute to regional stability. The engagements reflected a shared vision for stronger defence bonds, mutual trust, and continued collaboration in the naval domain.
