https://arab.news/8u74c
- Pakistan Navy kicked off the five-day AMAN drill on Friday, with participants from over 40 countries
- This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Saudi Arabia is present as an observer
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's ongoing multinational naval exercise in the Arabian Sea will support regional peace and military coordination among its participants, Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki said on Sunday.
Senior military representatives of countries participating in the 7th Multinational Naval Exercise, AMAN-21, pose for a group photo at the flags hoisting ceremony at Pakistan Navy Dockyard, Karachi, on February 12, 2021. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan Navy)
The Pakistan Navy kicked off the five-day AMAN drill on Friday, with over 40 countries, including the United States, Russia, Britain and China, participating to enhance their interoperability in a diverse maritime environment.
“This exercise will support peace and prosperity in the region and raise the level of readiness and coordination between the various participating countries,” the Saudi ambassador told Arab News.
“This exercise will provide a platform for uniting efforts to meet the challenges of maritime security,” he said, adding that "all countries participating in this exercise will benefit in developing and sharing experiences to achieve stability and peace."
Pakistan's naval chief, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, salutes navy personnel during his visit to the foreign ships of navies participating in the 7th multinational maritime exercise, AMAN-21, in Karachi, Pakistan, on February 13, 2021. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan Navy)
Pakistan has been hosting the AMAN drill since 2007. Although this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Saudi Arabia has not sent its forces to actively take part in the exercise, it is present as an observer and the Pakistan Navy says the kingdom's participation in the biannual drill has always been important.
“Saudi Arabia is a very important ally in the regional maritime security and their participation in AMAN exercise is very important for Pakistan,” the navy's spokesperson told Arab News, adding that for the previous edition of AMAN, Saudi Arabia had sent its navy vessel.
“This time Saudis could not have large participation due to pandemic but have shown solidarity with Pakistan through their participation as observer," he said. "They have always played an important part in patrolling for the regional maritime security.”