Karachi (Agencies): An impressive and colorful flag-hoisting ceremony marked the formal inauguration of the 9th Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN-2025 at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi. The event featured the simultaneous hoisting of flags from all participating nations and was attended by senior military representatives, observers, diplomats, and officials from the Pakistan Armed Forces.
According to the Directorate General Public Relations (Pakistan Navy), the ceremony included a message from the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf. In his message, Admiral Ashraf warmly welcomed the participants of Exercise AMAN-25 and highlighted the exercise’s role in bringing together regional and extra-regional navies to foster a secure and conducive maritime environment. He emphasized the Pakistan Navy’s initiatives to enhance regional maritime security, including Regional Maritime Security Patrols (RMSP), and introduced the AMAN Dialogue as an adjunct to the exercise.
Speaking on the occasion, Commander Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Abdul Munib, underscored the Pakistan Navy’s contributions toward collaborative maritime security. He emphasized the significance of the exercise in enhancing interoperability among participants and praised the participating countries for supporting Pakistan’s commitment to peace and maritime security. Rear Admiral Munib acknowledged the fluttering flags of participating nations as a true embodiment of the Exercise AMAN motto — ‘Together for Peace’ and expressed hope that the friendships fostered during the exercise would continue to grow.
AMAN 2025, the 9th edition of the series, is being held from 7-11 February 2025, with participation from around 60 countries, including their ships, aircraft, special operations forces, and observers. The countries participating include China, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the USA. The exercise aims to promote peace and regional cooperation, enhance interoperability among navies, and address maritime threats like terrorism, piracy, and human trafficking. The activities are divided into sea and harbor phases, involving maritime security operations, search and rescue drills, and tactical maneuvers.
Additionally, the inaugural AMAN Dialogue is scheduled for 9-10 February 2025, where naval chiefs and senior representatives from participating countries will deliberate on maritime security challenges and explore innovative solutions to enhance security at sea.