Unit Name: | Pakistan Navy Coastal Command |
End Date: | --> |
Country: | Pakistan |
Specialization: | --> Maritime security |
Command Structure: | Pakistan Navy Western Command Pakistan Marines Special Service Group CTS Coastal NPM Coastal |
Garrison: | Karachi, Pakistan |
Nickname: | COMCOAST |
Colours: | --> |
Colours Label: | --> |
Current Commander: | V/ADM Raja Rab Nawaz HI(M)since 10 November 2022 |
Commander2: | V/ADM Iftikhar Ahmed |
Commander2 Label: | First commander |
Coastal Command (COMCOAST) is a coastal defence and fortification command of the Pakistan Navy with duties to manage maritime and all creek coastal areas in the country. It is one of the seven component commands of the navy with offices in Karachi. It is tasked with conducting defensive measures for maintaining and operating ports, harbour, and ground-based air defence of the navy, in addition to providing logistics support to naval fleet, and the Maritime Security Agency (MSA) units, a coastal guard branch of the navy.
Also responsible for the national security and maritime environment, including sea projects of China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure,it is commanded by a Vice Admiral known as Commander Coast.[1] [2] Coastal Command is the countrywide authority of all naval units and establishments, including[3] the Western Command, the Pakistan Marines, Special Service Group, CTS Coastal and NPM Coastal among others.[4] [5]
Its first commander was Vice Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed.[6]
Its main duties are focused on providing computer and network surveillance support to fleet, counter piracy, coordinated counterterrorism and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operations, in addition to carrying marine salvage and combat search and rescue operations. The command is also tasked with non-combat assignments such as responding to natural disaster with responsibilities for providing humanitarian aid in emergency.
In the west, it works under the jurisdiction of the east to Jiwani, extending 1000 kms of the country's coastline, which includes Makran towards Karachi, and creek areas towards the east of International Border.[7]