'Together for peace': Over 35 countries join Pakistan's Aman-17 naval exercise in Arabian Sea

KARACHI - More than 35 countries are going to conduct international naval exercise - 'Aman-17' - in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Karachi from February 10-14.

Themed 'Together for peace', the joint naval exercise has helped clear the Arabian Sea of pirates, Commander Pakistan Fleets Vice Admiral Syed Arifullah Hussaini told a press conference in Karachi.

"These exercises help the participating countries come together and further their relations," he added.

The exercise will feature harbour and sea phases, during which participants will witness a variety of drills, where participants will witness a variety of exercises, including search and rescue operations, gunnery drills, anti-piracy demonstrations, replenishment at sea and maritime counter-terrorism demonstrations.



The joint exercise will be conducted by navies from 12 countries including Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States while envoys from 31 countries will observe the exercises, according to China.org.cn.



'Aman-17' will include ships, aircraft, helicopters, Special Operations Forces (SOF), Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD), marine teams and observers from regional as well extra-regional navies.



Last year, four Iranian Naval Ships - Lavan, Konarak, Falakhen and Khanjar - joined the ‘Aman-16’ drills.

Pakistan has held Aman naval exercises every alternate year since 2007. The exercises aim to demonstrate the allied nations' capabilities to fight terrorism and other maritime threats, as well as to provide a platform for participants to hone their skills, and build cooperation and friendship to promote peace and stability.