Beijing, Oct 21: China today came out of its self-imposed ban on joint naval exercises with a foreign country by kicking off a security drill with its 'all weather' ally, Pakistan, off the northeastern coast of Shanghai. The naval exercise, participated by destroyers of the Chinese Navy and the Pakistani Navy involves some 1,600 sailors and officers, sources said.

During the exercise, which would last until October 24, the two navies plans to undertake joint manoeuvres at surface and in deep-sea water. The two sides are also using reconnaissance and anti-submarine helicopters to conduct joint search and rescue operations, including joint patrolling and search for suspected vessel.

While China has not released information on the type of its ships taking part in the naval exercise, the Pakistani side said two ships, a destroyer and a tanker, which arrived in the east Chinese port city of Shanghai last Saturday, would be exercising with their Chinese counterparts. Meanwhile, amidst reports that Pakistan may soon acquire Chinese made 'AWACS Killer' to counter the Indo-Israel Phalcon airborne early warning systems, the Pakistani air chief, Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat arrived here yesterday on a week-long visit.

According to the reports, Islamabad was eyeing Chinese-built ft-2000 surface-to-air missile, commonly known as 'AWACS Killer', to counter India's AWACS which it will acquire from Israel.

Bureau Report