Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN 19
formally commenced 11 Feb 2019 at
Pakistan Navy Dockyard, with a colorful flag hoisting ceremony.
Ships of the participating navies,
observers, foreign diplomats and a large number of Pakistan Navy personnel
attended the event.
Commander Pakistan Fleet, Vice Admiral
Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi graced the occasion as Chief Guest whereas Chief of
Romanian Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Alexandru Mirsu and Commander Zimbabwe
National Army, Lt General Edzai Absolom Chanyuka Chimonyo attended the ceremony
as Guests of Honour.
Speaking on the occasion, Commander
Pakistan Fleet, Vice Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi warmly welcomed the
august participating nations for a common resolve “Together for Peace”.
Admiral emphasized that we can work
together, keeping our differences aside, to defeat our common adversaries.
These adversaries pose threats like piracy, terrorism, drug-trafficking,
gun-running and human smuggling; and greater adversary is the climate change
which calls for a growing need to respond to it collectively.
Commander Pakistan Fleet added that
despite having a turbulent phase of its contemporary history, Pakistan remained
steadfast in fighting the forces of terror and tyranny. Pakistan continues to
be a responsible state, cognizant of its role and significance in the
international system. Vice Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi highlighted that
Pakistan has been a proactive member of maritime security initiatives launched
as part of the war against terror. Pakistan Navy has always been a consistent
Security contributor in Indian Ocean Region. Task Force 88 and Regional
Maritime Security Patrol (RMSP) have been institutionalized to ensure maritime
security of Gwadar and adjacent sea lanes and maintain robust security posture
in critical sea areas and choke points in Indian Ocean for protection of
national and international shipping.
During the ceremony, the Message of Chief
of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi was also read out. In his
message the Naval Chief warmly welcomed the participations of Exercise AMAN-19,
the 6th episode of the AMAN initiative.
AMAN-19 is a multinational Naval Exercise
conducted biennially by Pakistan Navy since 2007. The exercise is based on
Pakistan Navy led initiative to bring in world navies under one umbrella for collaborative
peace and security in the maritime domain.
The current exercise, 6th in the series
has a growing number of participants. This year 45 nations are participating
through Ships, Aircraft, Special Operating Forces, Observers and Speakers.
One of the key events of AMAN-19 other
than sea exercises, is 'International Maritime Conference' spanned over three
days, being organized by National Centre for Maritime Policy Research (NCMPR).
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