Sea Guardian IV: Pakistan and China Conclude Major Naval Exercise in North Arabian Sea

by Saif Hafeez | Apr 3, 2026

The fourth iteration of the bilateral Naval Exercise SEA GUARDIAN IV, conducted between the Pakistan Navy (PN) and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N), successfully culminated at Karachi today. The exercise serves as a cornerstone of the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” specifically targeting maritime security in the volatile North Arabian Sea.

Against the backdrop of the US-Israel-Iran war and the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, this joint maneuver reaffirms the shared commitment of Islamabad and Beijing to protecting vital sea lines of communication (SLOCs).

Sea phase featured Air Defence drills, submarine ops, War at Sea maneuvers and Live Gunnery Firing. Exercise concluded with a coordinated patrol, reaffirming PN and PLA (N) commitment to regional maritime security and stability. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/ufK0n83aXI

— DGPR (Navy) (@dgprPaknavy) April 1, 2026

Operational Scope: Interoperability at Sea

The exercise was divided into two distinct phases, designed to test the high-end combat readiness of both navies:

Port Phase: Focused on professional interactions, tabletop simulations, and tactical coordination between senior naval command staff in Karachi.
Sea Phase: Conducted in the North Arabian Sea, featuring complex maneuvers including:
- Air Defence Drills: Testing joint responses to aerial threats.
- Submarine Operations: Enhancing underwater warfare and detection capabilities.
- War at Sea Maneuvers: Simulating large-scale surface engagements.
- Live Gunnery Firing: Demonstrating precision and lethality in surface-to-surface and surface-to-air strikes.

Strategic Significance: The “Hormuz” Context

The culmination of SEA GUARDIAN IV is particularly significant given current regional tensions:

Coordinated Patrols: The exercise concluded with a joint patrol, a clear signal to regional actors that the Pakistan-China maritime axis is prepared to secure trade corridors against asymmetric threats.
Guarding the Aorta: As Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Wang Yi finalize the “Five-Point Plan” in Beijing, these naval drills provide the “hard power” backbone to ensure the safety of commercial shipping linked to the CPEC/BRI framework.

Reaffirming Regional Stability

The Pakistan Navy emphasized that SEA GUARDIAN IV is not directed against any third party but is aimed at enhancing the collective capacity to respond to maritime security challenges. By fostering deep technical and operational synergy, both nations are ensuring that the North Arabian Sea remains a zone of stability despite the ongoing conflict in the Gulf.