Sheikh Fakhar-e-Alam
PAKISTAN Navy has hosted 45 international navies in a multinational exercise event organized every two years, since 2007 known as naval exercise “AMAN” series from 11-16th Feb 2021.
AMAN-21 is the 7th such exercise conducted at Karachi, Pakistan to enhance in collective response for global maritime domain.
Aman-21, culminated with a graceful conduct of International Fleet Review (IFR) followed by spectacular forming up of Aman formation comprising Pakistan Navy and foreign warships. President Arif Alvi attended concluding ceremony as chief guest.
CJCSC Gen Nadeem Raza, COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, CNS Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, CAS Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Defence and Naval Attaches of various countries also attended the exercise.
The slogan of exercise was “Together for Peace”. This exercise aimed to strengthen and develop naval cooperation among the world navies to promote regional stability and counter maritime threats.
The exercise adds towards international harmony 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. Aman-2021 had two phases: a harbour phase and a sea phase.
Harbour activities included seminars, discussions, demonstrations and international get-togethers, while the sea phase included demonstration of tactical manoeuvre’s on anti-piracy, counterterrorism, gunnery firing and search and rescue missions.
The hallmark of the sea phase was the international fleet review, which was witnessed by national and foreign dignitaries.
There were three main objectives of Aman-21. Firstly, a contribution towards regional peace and stability.
Secondly, a united resolve against terrorism, crimes and other threats in maritime domain.
Thirdly, to bridge the gap and enhance interoperability between regional and extra-regional navies with Pakistan Navy acting as a bridge in the region.
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 near permanent presence in vital sea areas in the Indian Ocean Region to contribute towards maintaining good order at sea.
According to its modernization plan, the Pakistan Navy will be adding another 50 vessels, including 20 major ships.
Pakistan Navy is developing the hypersonic P282 ship-launched anti-ship/land-attack ballistic missile.
Naval Research and Development Institute is established while understanding the significance of indigenous research.
Indigenous design and development is highly promoted in Pakistan Navy.
At present, Pakistan Navy is engaged in programs that include frigates, Hangor-class submarines, UAV jammers, directed energy weapons, underwater sonar surveillance coastal defence systems, unmanned underwater vehicles and unmanned combat aerial vehicles.
It also plans to replace the P-3C Orion patrol aircraft with 10 commercial jets.
It is planning the acquisition of medium-altitude; long endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicles and 20 indigenous gunboats that are to be commissioned by 2025.
The exercise is a reflection that nations can play a constructive role in building new ties, establishing innovative relationships and strengthening existing ones. Exercise AMAN is about bridging gaps and making it possible to operate together in pursuance of common objectives.
It has largely facilitated smooth and steady flow of commerce on its maritime highways.
The exercise also emphasizes developing combined potential for humanitarian assistance in the region.
For the first time in a decade Aman 21’ brought Russia and NATO together in joint drill.
The endeavour is one of the several initiatives Pakistan Navy has relentlessly pursued for past two decades or so.
These initiatives validate PN’s unfaltering resolve to advance the cause of “freedom of seas” and raise prestige of Pakistan.
The importance of this year’s exercise can be understood as it brought the three largest navies, US, China and Russia, under one platform for collaborative maritime security.
Like all nations of the world, Pakistan is also having significant stakes in the maritime realm.
There are different aspects for Pakistan to have a safe and crime-free sea which are our huge reliance on the seas for trade, practical application of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and our strategic location astride the global energy highway. The Indian Ocean is ‘the world’s busiest trade corridor’.
Two thirds of global oil shipments and a third of bulk cargo transit via this Ocean, roughly 80 % of China’s, around 90 % of South Korea’s and 90 % of Japan’s oil passes through the Indian Ocean.
It is pertinent to mention here that “Aman series” has no political objectives. This exercise is not having aim to target any country except ensuring harmony and stability.
The main focus of this exercise is counteracting against unconventional challenges like terrorism, piracy, natural disaster, trafficking etc.
Due to professionalism and restless performance of Pakistan Navy the intensity of criminal activities and other crimes has significantly reduced in the maritime region of interest to Pakistan.
Pakistan Navy is one of the most organized and well-prepared institution of a state, whole nation stands side by side with our naval forces.
Pakistan is and will always adhere to principle of peace and peaceful co-existence.
—The writer is MS degree holder in Journalism, an academic researcher and Media analyst.
