Kofi Ampeah Woode
The 9th AMAN Exercise – a global maritime exercise – involving 60 countries contributing naval ships, aircrafts, special forces, explosive ordnance disposal teams, marines, and observers from over 4,000 participants of 120 delegates, commenced in Karachi, Pakistan, to promote maritime stability, and enhance collaborative capabilities in the international maritime community.
The biennial event which was ideated and birthed in 2007, commenced its 9th edition on Friday 7 February 2025, with an opening ceremony of flags-raising of all participating countries, and speech deliveries, at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard, in the port city of Karachi.
AMAN ’25 – from 7 to 11 February – which will feature the maiden “AMAN Dialogue” as a highlight of the exercise, will afford senior military chiefs from around the world, deliberating on regional security and strategies, to combat maritime threats.
The events under the theme “Secure Seas; Prosperous Future”, will be divided into two phases: the Harbour Phase – from 7 to 9 February, featuring seminars, operational demonstrations, tactical maneuvers, operational discussions, pre-sail planning, international cultural events, and sporting activities;
The Sea Phase – from 10 to 11 February, will focus on practical exercises, including anti-piracy and anti-terrorism drills, search and rescue operations, live gunnery firings, air defence drills, and an International Naval Fleet Review in the northern Arabian Sea, off the port of Karachi, to be witnessed by dignitaries.
The 5-day exercise is expected to focus on the following objectives: 1) promote shared understanding of maritime security issues and challenges confronting the region and their links with the blue economy; 2) consider efficacy of existing mechanisms for maritime cooperation and need to adopt innovative solutions to address evolving challenges at sea;
It will also 3) formulate suitable strategies to enhance maritime security; 4) highlight Pakistan’s perspective on important maritime issues;and 5) showcase the host country’s potential in the domain of the Blue Economy.
Over a dozen naval vessels are taking part, bringing together naval forces from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries, in an entirely apolitical environment.
Countries participating include Bangladesh, the Comoros, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, the Seychelles, South Africa, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Tunisia, Türkiye, Uganda, United States of America, Zimbabwe, to name a few.
Some vessels in the exercise include; frigate BNS Somudra Joy – Bangladesh; guided missile destroyer CNS Baotou (Hull 133) and replenishment ship CNS Gao You Hu (Hull 904) – China; the corvette KRI Bung Tomo – Indonesia; frigate IRINS Jamaran – Iran; destroyer JS Murasame – Japan; offshore patrol vessel KD Terengganu – Malaysia; patrol vessel RNOV Sadh – Oman;
Others are; corvettes HMS Jazan and HMS Hail – Saudi Arabia; offshore patrol vessel SLNS Vijayabahu – Sri Lanka; corvette Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates; expeditionary base vessel Lewis B Puller – United States of America.
The previous AMAN in 2023 had 50 countries participating, while the maiden AMAN 2007, held under the theme “Together for Peace”, had 28 nations.
Peace Journal
