Media brief of multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN-23 was held at PNS JAUHAR. Commander Pakistan Fleet Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami briefed media regarding Exercise details.
Pakistan Navy has been conducting AMAN series of multinational maritime exercise
every two years since its beginning in 2007. Eighth edition of the exercise is scheduled
to be held this year from 10-14 February, involving participation of over 50 countries
with ships, aircrafts, Special Ops Forces/ EOD Marines teams and observers, he said. The
exercise is divided into two phases: harbour and sea. Harbour phase involves activities
such as seminars, operational discussions, professional demonstrations, international
get togethers and pre-sail planning of evolutions at sea. The sea phase would include
tactical maneuvers, exercises related to maritime security such as anti-piracy and
counter terrorism, search and rescue, gunnery firings and air defence exercises.
Highlight of the sea phase will be the International Fleet Review, which will be
witnessed by national and foreign dignitaries.
As a maritime nation, Pakistan has substantial stakes in keeping our seas safe and
secure. Our interests are based on three major factors. Firstly, our extraordinary
dependence on the seas for trade; secondly, operationalization of CPEC project and
thirdly, our strategic location astride the global energy highway. Cumulatively, these
realities make maritime stability a vital national security interest. We realize the
importance of maritime security not only for Pakistan but for all other countries whose
prosperity and progress are tied to the seas.
While we talk of security and stability at sea, let us be mindful of the threats and
challenges that we face in the maritime domain, ranging from piracy, terrorism, narco-
arms trafficking to climate change. However, vastness of the seas makes it extremely
difficult for any one nation to deal with these diverse challenges alone. This calls for
collective effort to make sure the seas remain safe and secure for all of us to use and
benefit from. Pakistan Navy is therefore a firm believer in the concept of Collaborative
Maritime Security and has been actively participating in Maritime Security and Counter
Piracy Operations along with other partner navies since 2004. Furthermore, since 2018,
Pakistan Navy is undertaking Regional Maritime Security Patrols through which our
ships maintain presence in vital sea areas in the Indian Ocean Region, to contribute
towards maintaining good order at sea in accordance with our international
commitments. Exercise AMAN is thus the manifestation of this acknowledged reality of
combating the maritime threats collectively through cooperation and mutual support and
provides enormous opportunities to the participants for shaping and rehearsing the
contours of such a collective response.
Commander Pakistan Fleet emphasized that the principle purpose of this exercise is to
provide a forum for understanding each other's maritime concepts and operational
cultures, enhancing interoperability as well as identifying ways and means to combat
common threats at sea. The occasion also helps foster friendships, bridging gaps and
making it possible for countries from far and wide to operate together in pursuance of
shared objectives.
He added that coverage of this event by the media would help project the true spirit of
Exercise AMAN as reflected so aptly in its motto 'Together for Peace' besides the
contributions of Pakistan Navy and Pakistan's image as a responsible maritime nation.
Earlier, Commander Pakistan Fleet expressed his condolences for the people of Turkiye
and Syria who have been devastated during the recent earthquake.
