Pakistan's Navy is gearing up for AMAN-2025, a series of joint exercises set to take place from February 7 to 11, 2025, in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Karachi. This event aims to bolster efforts against maritime piracy, crime, and terrorism, not only within Pakistan's territorial waters but across the broader Indian Ocean region.
The AMAN series has become emblematic of Pakistan's commitment to maritime peace, with the first exercise conducted back in 2007. Since then, it has taken place every two years, allowing nations to collaborate on naval strategies and security challenges. The last AMAN exercise held in 2023 was notable for its extensive international participation, featuring naval vessels from more than 50 countries, including prominent ones such as China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Italy, and the United States.
Admiral Naveed Ashraf, the Chief of Naval Staff for Pakistan, expressed optimism for AMAN-2025, stating, "I expect even greater participation this year." This reflects the growing interest among nations to engage with Pakistan on matters of security and maritime defense, especially considering the increasing threats posed by piracy and terrorism. Indeed, the exercises are not just parades of naval force, but strategic collaborations meant to strengthen ties among nations facing similar maritime challenges.
Alongside the naval exercises, the AMAN Dialogue will serve as a platform for discussions among naval representatives. The dialogue will focus on pressing issues such as piracy, terrorism, and regional conflicts, particularly those affecting the complex maritime security environment. Notably, discussions will also include newer threats and defensive strategies, emphasizing the importance of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence (AI) within modern naval operations.
The international profile of these exercises is expected to rise, with naval forces from Saudi Arabia among the foreign contingents participating for the first time this year. Such cooperation signifies not just military alignment, but also a shared commitment to maintaining peace and security across international waters, especially as geopolitical tensions rise across the region.
This year’s AMAN exercise is poised to not only help counter piracy and maritime crime but also to reinforce diplomatic ties among participating countries. It serves as both deterrence and assurance, reinforcing the idea of collective action and responsibility. The willingness of various nations to commit resources and personnel to this exercise speaks to the pressing need for multilateral cooperation.
The exercises come at a time when maritime threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, necessitating more advanced collaborative responses. The strategic location of Pakistan along important global shipping routes makes the importance of these exercises ever so significant; AMAN-2025 showcases Pakistan's role as not just a regional player but as a pivotal player on the global maritime stage.