PABBI (Dunya News) – The opening ceremony of the 9th International Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) Competition 2026 was held on Tuesday at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Pabbi, marking the start of a major multinational military engagement aimed at strengthening cooperation among friendly armed forces.
The inaugural event formally launched a 60-hour-long patrolling exercise designed to test participating teams under demanding operational conditions. A senior officer attended the ceremony, underscoring the importance placed on professional military collaboration and joint preparedness.
A total of 24 international teams from 19 friendly countries are participating in this year’s competition, alongside a number of military observers. The participating nations include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkiye, the United States of America, and Uzbekistan. Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand are taking part in the event as observers.
#ISPR Rawalpindi, 04 February, 2026 The opening ceremony of the 9th International #Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) Competition–2026 was held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Pabbi, aimed at enhancing military-to-military cooperation amongst contingents from… pic.twitter.com/2Rv8Ksr3mj
— Pakistan Armed Forces News (@PakistanFauj) February 4, 2026In addition to the international contingents, 16 domestic teams from the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy are competing in the exercise. Observers from the Pakistan Air Force are also present, reflecting a joint services approach to professional military engagement and learning.
Pakistan Army Team Spirit is an annual, mission-specific and task-oriented military exercise hosted by Pakistan. The competition places a strong emphasis on physical endurance, mental resilience, and professional soldiering skills, requiring participants to operate under intense pressure while executing complex sub-tactical missions.
The patrolling exercise is conducted in a near real-time operational environment, compelling teams to demonstrate rapid decision-making, adaptability, and precision. Scenarios are structured to replicate realistic battlefield challenges, allowing participating forces to test their capabilities across a range of demanding conditions.
PATS is designed to foster perseverance through team spirit while refining core soldierly attributes. The exercise also serves as a platform for enhancing interoperability among participating militaries through the mutual exchange of innovative ideas, tactics, and best practices.