AMAN-2023: Pakistan Navy set to kick off 50-nation maritime exercise

KARACHI – Pakistan Navy is set to host the multinational maritime exercise AMAN-23, which is held every two years, in southern port city of Karachi from Friday (Feb 10).

The five-day exercise will involve participation of over 50 countries with ships, aircrafts, Special Ops Forces Marine teams and observers.

At a news briefing, Commander Pakistan Fleet Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami said this is the 8th edition of the exercise and has been divided into harbor and sea phases.

Global navies are joining hands together for international peace & stability. @PakistanNavy is hosting AMAN Naval Exercise from 10 to 14 Feb 2023.#AMAN2023 #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/CsbasxxuSr

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 8, 2023

The harbour phase involves activities such as seminars, operational discussions, professional demonstrations, international get together and pre-sail planning of evolutions at sea, state broadcaster reported.

The sea phase would include tactical manoeuvres, exercises related to maritime security such as anti-piracy and counter terrorism, search and rescue, gunnery firings and air defence exercises.

The commander emphasised that the exercise is aimed at providing a forum for understanding maritime concepts and operational cultures, enhancing interoperability as well as identifying ways and means to combat common threats at sea.