Pakistan to host 45 navies for ‘peace’ exercise later this month

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Navy will host a multinational maritime exercise called ‘AMAN-21’ in the Arabian Sea later this month in which 45 countries are expected to participate, the navy said in a statement.
Commander Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Naveed Ashraf, briefed the media about the exercise on Monday.
“Exercise AMAN, with the slogan ‘Together for Peace’ is being conducted on regular basis by Pakistan Navy biennially to project soft image of Pakistan,” a press release from the navy said. “The Exercise contributes toward 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.”
Ashraf said this year’s exercise would be the seventh edition of AMAN with around 45 countries “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,” the press release said. “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. Hallmark of the sea phase and Exercise AMAN — 21 would be International Fleet Review, witnessed by national and foreign dignitaries.”
Admiral Naveed Ashraf said AMAN would provide a “common forum for information sharing, mutual understanding and identifying the areas of common interests for all participating navies to achieve mutual goal of maintaining stability, peace and prosperity.”