AMAN 07

This seems to be a big one. A Naval exercise organized by PN scheduled in the Arabian Sea during the first half of March. 27 countries will take part.

http://www.pakistantimes.net/2007/02/21/top9.htm

 **Pak Navy to hold Multinational Naval      Exercise 'Aman 07'**
     By Laiylla Sherazi 'Pakistan Times' Foreign      Correspondent


 KARACHI: Pakistan Navy will      organize a Multinational Naval Exercise " Aman 07" and an International      Maritime Conference from March 6 to 13. This was announced by the Chief of      the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir, while addressing a news      conference at the COMKAR Office here on Tuesday. 

He said that the exercise will be conducted at the harbour and the sea from      March 6 to 13 whereas the conference will be held from March 4 to 6 under      the auspices of the National centre of Maritime Policy Research- a Maritime      focused think tank which has been recently established under the auspices of      Baharia University. 

Spelling out the objectives of Exercise Aman 07, the PN Chief said that this      was aimed at displaying united resolve against terrorism and projecting      Pakistan as a country contributing towards peace and stability as well as      consolidating Pakistan Navy's position in the regional maritime domain and      enhancing interoperability with regional and extra-regional navies thereby      acting as a bridge between the regions. 

He said that the event was also aimed at capacity- building for the conduct      of multi-national exercises. 

Admiral Tahir pointed out that Exercise Aman 07 is designed to develop and      improve response tactics, techniques and procedures against maritime      terrorism. Therefore, it is based on offensive and defensive operations to      protect economic activities at sea. 

He said that the Exercise has been divided in harbour and sea phases and      will be conducted in the North Arabian Sea remaining outside the EEZ and      ADIZ of the neighbouring countries. There will be no infringement of any      country's waters or air space as far as this exercise activity is concerned.     

The harbour phase will be utilized for pre sail conferences, coordination      meetings, safety briefs, table top discussions etc. Whereas, the sea phase      includes exercise focusing on maritime security operations. 

The fleet review is planned on March 10 during which all participating units      including naval aviation will participate. 

The Naval Chief announced that 27 countries will participate in this      exercise and of these eight countries will take part with their naval      forces, naval aviation elements and special operation forces and the      Pakistan Navy will be the 9th participants. The rest of the navies will be      represented by observers- one each from a country. 

To a question, he said that Iran will be participating in the exercise as an      observer. A speaker from India will attend the maritime conference. 

Replying another question, the Naval Chief made it clear that the Pakistani      ships do not lack behind in any form of modern technology and that most of      the modern technology is available on the Pakistani ships. 

Admiral Tahir was optimistic that this exercise would bring peace in the      region.