SUNDAY TIMES KARACHI: According to Pakistan Navy, the purpose of the exercise is to promote cooperation and interoperability between the regional and extra regional navies

“The exercise concept revolves around collaborative Maritime Security building partnerships for making sea a safer place for sea fearers and merchant shipping,” reads the objective of the multinational exercise.

“The exercise is aimed at developing coalition building and multi-layered security cooperation, promoting a safe & sustainable maritime environment. Similarly it aims to enhance tactical interoperability between regional and extra regional navies thereby acting as a bridge between the regions.”

Around 44 countries are expected to participate in Aman-19 including Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, China, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Mayanmar, Nigeria, Oman, Poland, Palestine, Philippine, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan Navy first organised Aman series of multinational exercises on biennial basis in 2007. Operating in the Indian Ocean Region , 28 countries participated in the first AMAN Exercise held in 2007.