KARACHI: An international naval exercise ‘Aman-17’ in which more than 35 countries are expected to take part is scheduled to being on Thursday.
The event is to be conducted in the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Karachi.
Themed ‘Together for peace’, the naval exercise helped in the clearing of pirates from the Arabian Sea, Pakistan Fleets Commander Vice Admiral Syed Arifullah Hussaini told a press conference.
“These exercises help the participating countries come together and further their relations,” he added.
The joint exercise will be conducted by navies from 12 countries including Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States while envoys from 31 countries will observe the exercises.
The exercise will feature harbour and sea phases.
During the excursions, the participants will also witness a variety of drills and exercises including search and rescue operations, gunnery drills, anti-piracy demonstrations, replenishment at sea and maritime counter-terrorism demonstrations.
‘Aman-17’ will include ships, aircraft, helicopters, special operations forces, explosives ordinance disposal, marines and observers from regional as well extra-regional navies.
Pakistan has held Aman naval exercises every alternate year since 2007.
The exercise aims to promote peace and stability, demonstrate the allied nations’ capabilities to fight terrorism and other threats, provide a platform for participants to hone their skills.
It is also aims to increase cooperation and friendship among countries.
