Unit was raised in 2005 to provide ground-based air defence to Pakistan Navy assets. -Pakistan Navy

KARACHI: Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah on Friday said, while performing the ground breaking ceremony of the 21st Air Defence Battalion, that air defence is being prioritised by the Navy and all efforts are being made to modernise the equipment, a statement released by the Pakistan Navy stated.

The air defence unit will be based in Ormara and will be attached to Coastal Command. The unit was raised in 2005 to provide ground-based air defence to all Pakistan Navy and designated national infrastructure. 

The battalion is equipped with ?state of the art air defence guns, surface to air missiles and air defence radars?.

Commander Coast also highlighted the salient features of the project and said the development of dedicated infrastructure for the unit would ?lead to further efficiency and effectiveness to counter any challenge to our motherland from any potential aerial threat?.

The ground breaking ceremony was attended by senior naval officers, personnel and civil dignitaries.