ISLAMABAD: AMAN-2023 Exercises are sure to bridge interoperability among regional navies as offense is universally acknowledged as the best defense.
A capable, strong military is equally vital for peace among the nation and in regions. This capability becomes more inevitable when nations are in volatile regions where insurgencies and unending hegemonic wishes continue to repeat over the decades.
For the purpose, the defence forces carry out different exercises like Pakistan Navy’s biennial multinational exercise with its AMAN-2023 starting in Karachi from February 10. Its prime objective is to consolidate PN’s position in regional maritime arena, project country’s positive image, and enhance interoperability with regional and extra regional navies besides demonstrating the country’s commitment to peace.
It was due to the importance of regional peace that PN started multi-national AMAN exercises from 2007 to enhance regional and extra regional cooperation and interoperability and strengthen maritime security.
Since the start of multinational drill, the Pakistan Navy had successfully conducted seven exercises so far with 8th planned for this February inviting over 110 countries to participate. The Exercise has emerged as a major global Naval event as evident from the growing number of participants that also reflects Pakistan’s increasing positive image.
Its main attraction is the maiden Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference which aims at promoting regional cooperation and stability, showcasing Pakistan’s maritime potential and to express a united resolve against maritime crimes including piracy and terrorism.
AMAN Exercises
The first AMAN Exercise was held in March 2007 and was participated by 14 ships from France, Italy, Bangladesh, China, Malaysia, USA and UK that further expanded to Japan, Nigeria, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Russia and Poland in coming years.
In 2007, Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams and Special Operations Forces from Turkey and Bangladesh also participated in the SOF exercises. Overall 28 nations participated in the exercise with 29 observers.
The 2nd Exercise, AMAN-9 which were carried out in March 2009 was participated by as many as 24 countries with military assets besides 29 observers as AMAN-11 was participated by 28 countries. In AMAN-13, 29 navies participated in the exercise with 36 observers.
Similarly, AMAN-17 conducted in North Arabian Sea in 2017 was participated by 34 nations including Pakistan. There were 67 observers at that time. AMAN-19 was held in North Arabian Sea with 46 countries participating in it with two P3Cs, 11 ships, 15 SOF/EOD/ and other equipment with 113 observers.
AMAN-21 was the last of the series carried out in North Arabian Sea from February 11-16, 2021 where 11 ships from seven nations, three EOD teams/Observer, 11 Senior officers, one Turkish MPA, four SOF teams/ Observers, and 117 Observers along with PN Ships, SSG (N) teams and PAK Marines, aircraft assets took part in the drills.
For 2023, 110 countries have been invited to participate in the Exercise to provide them a common forum for information sharing, mutual understanding and identifying areas of common interests for group analysis and dialogue. — APP
