The 9th AMAN Exercise, a global maritime event aimed at promoting maritime stability and enhancing collaborative capabilities within the international maritime community, commenced in Karachi, Pakistan, on Friday, February 7, 2025.
The biennial exercise, which was first conceived in 2007, has drawn participation from 60 countries, contributing naval ships, aircraft, special forces, explosive ordnance disposal teams, marines, and observers. Over 4,000 participants and 120 delegates are taking part in this year’s edition.
The opening ceremony, held at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi, featured the raising of flags from all participating countries and speeches by senior officials.
The event, themed “Secure Seas; Prosperous Future,” will run until February 11 and includes a range of activities designed to foster cooperation and address maritime security challenges.
A highlight of this year’s exercise is the inaugural “AMAN Dialogue,” which will bring together senior military chiefs from around the world to deliberate on regional security and strategies to combat maritime threats.
The exercise is divided into two phases: the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase. The Harbour Phase, running from February 7 to 9, includes seminars, operational demonstrations, tactical maneuvers, operational discussions, pre-sail planning, international cultural events, and sporting activities.
The Sea Phase, scheduled for February 10 and 11, will focus on practical exercises such as anti-piracy and anti-terrorism drills, search and rescue operations, live gunnery firings, air defense drills, and an International Naval Fleet Review in the northern Arabian Sea, off the port of Karachi.
The 9th AMAN Exercise aims to achieve several key objectives, including promoting a shared understanding of maritime security issues and challenges in the region, evaluating the efficacy of existing mechanisms for maritime cooperation, and formulating innovative solutions to address evolving threats at sea.
It also seeks to highlight Pakistan’s perspective on important maritime issues and showcase the country’s potential in the domain of the Blue Economy.
Over a dozen naval vessels from various countries are participating in the exercise, bringing together naval forces from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in an entirely apolitical environment. Participating countries include Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, and Zimbabwe, among others.
Notable vessels in the exercise include the frigate BNS Somudra Joy from Bangladesh; the guided missile destroyer CNS Baotou (Hull 133) and replenishment ship CNS Gao You Hu (Hull 904) from China; the corvette KRI Bung Tomo from Indonesia; the frigate IRINS Jamaran from Iran; the destroyer JS Murasame from Japan; the offshore patrol vessel KD Terengganu from Malaysia; the patrol vessel RNOV Sadh from Oman; the corvettes HMS Jazan and HMS Hail from Saudi Arabia; the offshore patrol vessel SLNS Vijayabahu from Sri Lanka; the corvette Abu Dhabi from the United Arab Emirates; and the expeditionary base vessel Lewis B Puller from the United States of America.
The previous AMAN Exercise in 2023 saw participation from 50 countries, while the inaugural edition in 2007, held under the theme “Together for Peace,” included 28 nations.
The 9th AMAN Exercise underscores the growing importance of international collaboration in addressing maritime security challenges and fostering a prosperous future for the global maritime community.
