Key points
- The series of multinational exercises were started in 2007
- Aims to promote regional cooperation and stability
- Displays a united resolve against crimes in maritime domain
ISLAMABAD: Series of multinational maritime exercises AMAN-25, the 9th exercise, is planned from 7-11 February 2025 in Karachi, Pakistan.
According to Arab News, Pakistan’s navy had invited over 100 countries for the AMAN maritime exercises that are held every two years involving ships, aircraft and special operation forces from February 7-11, with the event including a dialogue for senior naval leaders for the first time.
The Pakistan Navy has conducted the AMAN (peace) maritime exercise every two years since 2007 under the theme “Together For Peace.” This year’s special feature is the inaugural AMAN Dialogue themed “Secure Seas, Prosperous Future,” with a focus on security challenges in the Indian Ocean including strategic competition, piracy, narco-trafficking, non-state actors, resource exploitation, climate change, emerging technologies like AI and unmanned systems, the blue economy, and the need for global collaboration to ensure stability and prosperity.
“Since its inception, AMAN exercise participation has grown steadily, with the 8th edition in 2023 hosting 50 countries, the largest ever, and this year we are expecting even more, as over 100 countries have been invited to the 9th edition scheduled from February 7-11,” Commodore Ahmed Hussain, Director General Public Relations of Pakistan Navy, said in a written statement shared with reporters at a briefing on Tuesday, Arab News reported.
According to details posted on the Pakistan Navy’s website, the AMAN series of multinational exercises was started in 2007 with a view to promoting regional cooperation and stability, greater interoperability and displaying a united resolve against terrorism and crimes in the maritime domain including piracy.
Growing global participation in AMAN over the years underscores the trust and confidence reposed by the international community in PN efforts and its contributions towards advancing collaborative maritime security.
This has encouraged us to initiate “AMAN Dialogue” scheduled from 8-10 February 2025 as an adjunct to the Exercise and its inaugural session will be held, in tandem with AMAN-25.
AMAN Dialogue will bring together Chiefs of Navies/ Coast Guards and Defence Forces and afford them the opportunity to exchange views on global/ regional security and adopt innovative solutions to address evolving challenges at sea through multilateral and one-on-one meetings.
Exercise AMAN-2023
Exercise AMAN-23 was conducted from 10-14 Feb 23. 7 x Ships from China, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the USA participated along with 4 x SOF, 6 x EOD, and 5 x Marine Teams.
Overall 50 countries participated in the exercise with 116 observers.
Exercise AMAN-2021
Exercise AMAN-21 was held on Feb 21. During the exercise, 11 Ships, 1 Aircraft, and 5 SOF/EOD teams from China, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Turkiye, the UK and the USA participated.
Observers from 42 countries also attended the exercise.
Exercise AMAN-2019
Exercise AMAN-19 was held in February 2019. During the exercise, 12 Ships, 3 Aircraft, and 15 SOF/EOD teams from Australia, China, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Oman, Poland, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the UK and the USA participated.
Observers from 46 countries also attended the exercise.
Exercise AMAN-2017
Exercise AMAN-17 was held in February 2017. During the exercise, 12 Ships, 2 Aircraft, and 9 SOF/EOD teams from Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the UK, and the USA participated.
Observers from 34 countries also attended the exercise.
Exercise AMAN-2015
Exercise AMAN-15 was scheduled in February 2015. However, exercise was not conducted. Only the International Maritime Conference was conducted.
Exercise AMAN-2013
Exercise AMAN-13 was held in March 2013. During the exercise, 12 Ships, 2 Aircraft, and 9 SOF/EOD teams from Australia, Bangladesh, China, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the UK and the USA participated. Observers from 21 countries also attended the exercise.
Exercise AMAN-2011
Exercise AMAN-11 was held in March 2011. During the exercise, 11 Ships, 3 Aircraft, and 3 SOF/EOD teams from Australia, China, France, Italy, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, the UK and the USA participated. Observers from 26 countries also attended the exercise.
Exercise AMAN-2009
Exercise AMAN-09 was held in March 2009. During the exercise, 13 Ships, 3 Aircraft, and 9 SOF/EOD teams from Bangladesh, China, France, Italy, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA participated. Observers from 27 countries also attended the exercise.
Exercise AMAN-2007
Exercise AMAN-07 was held in March 2007. During the exercise, 14 Ships and 2 SOF/ EOD teams from Bangladesh, China, France, Italy, Malaysia, Turkey, the UK and the USA participated. Observers from 21 countries also attended the exercise.