Pakistan-hosted exercise AMAN-19 kicks off in Karachi

The Pakistan Navy-hosted biennial maritime exercise AMAN-2019 kicked off in Karachi on February 8, with 46 nations in attendance.

The four-day exercise will involve a port and at-sea phase with a focus on maritime security, counter terrorism and humanitarian assistance operations.

Based on this, the exercise seeks to develop and practice response tactics, techniques, and procedures (RTTP) for maritime infrastructure, assets and forces against traditional and non-traditional threats.

AMAN was first organized in 2007 and the 2019 edition is the seventh iteration of the multinational exercise. AMAN is an Urdu word meaning peace and the slogan of the exercise is “Together for Peace”.

The Pakistan Navy has not released a list participating ships. The UK confirmed it would be represented by Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon and the Italian Navy said its FREMM frigate ITS Carlo Margottini would take part in the exercise.

A warm welcome to Pakistan to HMS Dragon. In Karachi to take part Exercise Aman 2019. @HMSDragon is the most advanced of all the ships taking part. A symbol of the importance the @RoyalNavy attaches to its historic relationship with the Pakistan Navy. pic.twitter.com/h9DqqAr8g6

— Thomas Drew (@TomDrewUK) February 7, 2019