ISLAMABAD: Pakistan kicked off the ninth International Pakistan Army Team Spirit Competition (PATS) 2026 on Wednesday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bringing together 19 countries, including Saudi Arabia, for a major military exercise. The opening ceremony took place at the National Counter Terrorism Center in Pabbi town, marking the start of a 60-hour patrolling and tactical exercise designed to test endurance, mental resilience, and operational skills.
The competition focuses on rapid decision-making and challenging sub-tactical missions in near-real operational conditions. A total of 24 international teams are participating, while Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand join as observers. Countries involved include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, the United States, and Uzbekistan.
Sixteen local teams from Pakistan’s Army and Navy, with Air Force observers, are also taking part. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the exercise promotes perseverance through team spirit, hones core soldierly skills, and enhances interoperability among participating forces.
PATS is an annual, mission-specific military event aimed at fostering cooperation, sharing best practices, and strengthening professional ties among friendly nations.
