11 Feb 2025 By Know Muslim
The Arabian Sea is abuzz with activity as Pakistan hosts the Aman Naval Exercises 2025, a multinational naval event drawing participation from 50+ countries. Warships from global powers like the United States, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have arrived in Pakistani waters, alongside vessels from Japan, Korea, Bangladesh and Iran, highlighting the region's strategic importance. These exercises aim to showcase global maritime cooperation, enhance security, and promote peace in one of the world’s busiest trade corridors.
The Aman exercises, meaning "peace" in Urdu, are a biennial series of naval drills organized by the Pakistan Navy. Since their inception in 2007, they have grown into one of the largest maritime security initiatives in the world. The event provides a platform for navies of different nations to work together, regardless of geopolitical tensions, under the unifying theme: "Together for Peace."
The exercises are divided into two phases:
This year’s exercises have set a record with participation from 50+ nations, including 13 ships from 11 countries, aircraft, and Special Operations Forces. Key participants include:
Notably, India has opted out of the exercises, despite being a major player in the Indian Ocean Region. This absence underscores the geopolitical divides in the region, even as Pakistan strengthens its role as a maritime bridge between East and West.
Pakistan’s geographic location gives it a critical role in regional and global maritime activities. Situated along the Arabian Sea, Pakistan’s coastline is part of the Indian Ocean—through which flows over 50% of the world’s oil trade. With strategic coastal bases like Karachi, Ormara, and the Gwadar Port, Pakistan plays a key role in defending vital international trade routes.
The exercises serve several purposes:
During this phase, multinational naval leaders gather for seminars, operational discussions, and the AMAN Dialogue. Key activities include:
The harbor phase highlights the importance of diplomacy and knowledge-sharing in addressing global security concerns.
The action moves offshore, where participating navies engage in live drills to simulate real-world scenarios. Highlights include:
These drills are designed to test readiness, improve coordination, and build trust between nations in an environment where every second counts.
The slogan "Together for Peace" is more than just words—it's the spirit of the exercises. Despite geopolitical tensions, nations come together to prove that cooperation is the key to tackling maritime threats. This motto reminds the world that unity and dialogue can often break barriers that politics cannot.
The Arabian Sea is no stranger to security challenges. Organized crime, piracy, and terrorism are ever-present threats. Somali pirates and other criminal groups frequently target the area, posing risks to commercial shipping. Recent incidents, such as attacks on trade vessels in the Red Sea, further highlight the vulnerabilities in these waters.
For Pakistan, maintaining the safety of maritime routes is not just a regional responsibility—it’s a global one. The exercises allow nations to collectively address these challenges, ensuring smoother trade and safer seas.
Maritime security isn’t just about defense; it’s tied to economic growth. The concept of the Blue Economy refers to sustainable economic activities based on ocean resources, including global trade, fisheries, and tourism.
For Pakistan, securing sea routes means boosting international trade through the Gwadar Port and exploring new routes for economic growth. Protecting this economic potential is one of the driving forces behind the Aman exercises.
The strength of these exercises lies in their diversity. Navies from nations with differing political ideologies—such as the U.S. and Russia or Saudi Arabia and Iran—work shoulder-to-shoulder. This collaboration encourages the sharing of tactical insights and builds inter-operability.
Examples of teamwork include:
Such drills ensure that navies are prepared to act cohesively during real emergencies.
India’s decision to not participate in these exercises raises questions. The United States touts India as the Net Security Provider of the Indian Ocean, a term implying India’s responsibility for ensuring the region’s safety. However, Pakistan challenges this narrative by asserting its own authority in the Arabian Sea and organizing an inclusive platform like AMAN.
For India, the isolation from these multinational drills might limit its influence, despite its ambitions as a regional leader. On the other hand, for Pakistan, the exercises bolster its credibility as a binding force in maritime diplomacy.
Behind the scenes, Pakistan has been working on modernizing its navy. With assistance from China and Turkey, Pakistan is acquiring advanced warships, frigates, and offshore patrol vessels like PNS Hunain and PNS Babur. These upgrades enhance its second-strike capability, crucial for maintaining deterrence in any conflict scenario.
This modernization drive allows Pakistan to counterbalance India’s growing naval power while also enhancing its role in maritime security operations.
The Aman exercises underscore a few key points:
For Pakistan, the event shines a spotlight on its strategic importance in the Indian Ocean. For other nations, it emphasizes the value of shared responsibility in securing the seas.
The Aman Naval Exercises 2025 demonstrate that when nations work together, they can tackle even the toughest security challenges. As the Arabian Sea gains prominence in global trade, ensuring its safety is essential for economic prosperity and peace.
While geopolitical competition persists, initiatives like AMAN remind us of the power of collaboration. With navies from around the world gathering under the banner of "Together for Peace," this event reinforces the message that security and cooperation go hand in hand.
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