Pakistan-hosted multinational exercise AMAN-2021 kicks off

The seventh edition of the multinational maritime exercise Aman-2021 commenced at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard on Friday with an impressive and colorful flag-hoisting ceremony in which flags of 45 participating countries (including the US, Russia, China) were hoisted simultaneously.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of senior military representatives from the participating countries, observers, diplomats and Pakistan Navy officials.

Pakistan Navy issued a press release outlining the general description and specifications of the exercise.

Exercise AMAN-2021, with the slogan ‘Together for Peace’ is being conducted on regular basis by Pakistan Navy biennially to project soft image of Pakistan. The Exercise contributes towards regional peace and stability, resolve against terrorism in maritime domain, collaboration to maintain safe and sustainable maritime realm and above all enhance interoperability between regional and extra regional navies.

“While operating together, we must be mindful that the contemporary global maritime environment remains fraught with traditional and non-traditional challenges which require a collaborative response by friendly navies. No country can single-handedly tackle the diverse threats that exist or the new ones that emanate on daily basis. Thus Collaborative Maritime Security has become the Scarlet Thread to ensure peace and stability in the region.” said Chief of the Pakistani Navy in the press release.

“Pakistan Navy is a firm believer in the concept of having Collaborative Maritime Security and therefore has been actively participating in Maritime and Counter-Piracy Operations along with other partner navies since 2004. Since 2018, Pakistan Navy is undertaking Regional Maritime Security
Patrols, in which our ships maintain a near-permanent presence in vital sea areas in the Indian Ocean Region to contribute towards maintaining good order at sea. Exercise AMAN-2021 provides enormous opportunities to the participants for contriving the contours of such a collective response. In this regard, Exercise AMAN-2021 is an effort to foster regional camaraderie, boost interoperability and exhibit a ‘united resolve against multifaceted threats.” Chief of the Pakistani Navy added.

This year, the 7th edition of Exercise AMAN is scheduled this month, where around 45 countries are participating with surface and air assets, Special Operation Forces/Marine teams, and observers/ senior officers. The exercise has two major phases: harbor and sea phase. Harbor activities would include seminars, discussions, demonstrations, and international get-togethers. The sea phase would have tactical maneuvers on anti-piracy, counterterrorism, gunnery firing, and search & rescue. The Hallmark of the sea phase and Exercise AMAN – 2021 would be International Fleet Review, witnessed by national and foreign dignitaries.

The drill will last through next Wednesday, Feb. 17.

AMAN series of multinational exercises were started in 2007 with a view to promoting regional cooperation and stability, greater interoperability, and to display united resolve against terrorism and crimes in the maritime domain including Piracy.

The concept of AMAN revolves around information sharing, mutual understanding, and identifying areas of common interests for participating navies with emphasis on maritime security operations, counter-terrorism operations, and humanitarian assistance operations. Based on this, the exercise seeks to develop and practice Response Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (RTTP) for maritime infrastructure, assets, and forces against traditional and non-traditional threats.

The exercise is planned with focused objectives which are as under:

• Display of united resolve against terrorism and crimes in the maritime domain.
• Contributing towards regional peace and stability.
• Enhancing interoperability between regional and extra-regional navies thereby acting as a bridge between the regions.