Arabian Sea on high alert as Pakistan Navy schedules 10-day live firing exercise off Ormara

The Pakistan Navy is set to conduct a 10-day live weapon firing exercise in the Arabian Sea off the Makran Coast, prompting maritime

KARACHI: The Pakistan Navy is set to conduct a 10-day live weapon firing exercise in the Arabian Sea off the Makran Coast, prompting maritime and aviation authorities to issue warnings and designate specific areas as danger zones during the scheduled drills.

According to the NAVAREA IX Warnings Table, last updated on September 18, 2026, and the NOTAM Mark Map for the Ormara coast, two separate danger zones have been notified under NOTAM A3226/26 and NOTAM A3296/26. The restrictions will remain in effect between September 26 and October 5, 2026, covering both close-coast and deep-sea areas.

The notifications have been issued through the relevant Pakistan Navy Hydrographic Department and Civil Aviation Authority channels, with the designated locations classified as areas involving hazardous activity and live weapon firing.

The first exercise area, covered under NOTAM A3226/26, Warning No. 322/26, is located approximately five nautical miles south of Ormara at coordinates 25.15°N, 64.65°E, in the vicinity of Jinnah Naval Base, PNS Ahsan.

The notified area extends within a five-nautical-mile radius offshore from the Ormara coast. Live weapon firing is scheduled to take place from September 26 to September 30, daily between 0800 and 1700 UTC.

Authorities have declared the area restricted and warned that unauthorised vessels and other traffic must not enter the designated zone while firing activity is underway.

A second and substantially larger danger zone has been notified under NOTAM A3296/26, Warning No. 329/26. The area is situated at approximately 24.50°N, 65.20°E, around 45 nautical miles southeast of Ormara, in the maritime area between Ormara and Karachi.

The second exercise zone covers an area of approximately 40 nautical miles by 25 nautical miles. According to the notification, live firing activity will continue from September 29 to October 5, operating continuously from 0000 to 2400 UTC each day.

The National Hydrographic Office and aviation authorities have advised aircraft and vessels, including fishing boats, commercial ships and other maritime traffic, to remain clear of the marked danger zones during the specified periods.

Mariners operating along the Makran Coast have also been advised to exercise heightened caution and carefully monitor navigational warnings before entering the affected maritime areas.

Defence sources said the exercises are part of routine operational preparedness and weapon testing aimed at maintaining the readiness of naval units and strengthening maritime security along Pakistan’s coastline. The drills are expected to provide an opportunity to assess operational procedures and ensure that relevant systems and personnel remain prepared for maritime security requirements.

Vessels requiring further information or navigational guidance have been advised to contact Ormara Naval Control on VHF Channel 16.

The temporary restrictions are intended to ensure the safety of maritime and aviation traffic during the live firing activities and to prevent unauthorised movement into the designated exercise areas.