ISLAMABAD – The modern world of today is continuously transforming and we are living in a changing world. Traditionally, majority of threats to maritime security emanated from inter-state territorial disputes and political instabilities.
However, in the new millennium, the concept of maritime security has been redefined. Unlike the past, the world’s nations are confronted with the threats of transnational terrorism emanating from non-state actors. These new security challenges have reshaped the maritime environment. The new asymmetric threats demand more than mere military undertakings to counter them, a scenario grossly different than the traditional military scene.
These complex challenges to the maritime security entail a multinational response. It has become virtually impossible for any nation to ensure single-handedly its maritime security. We therefore, need to develop strategies to respond and build the cooperation and trust both at the regional and international levels to deal with evolving threats.
In this regard, ‘constructive-engagement’ to counter the individual and collective challenges that we face is the best way forward. Such engagement would enable sharing of operational and doctrinal expertise, generation of interoperability and the enhancement of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) which indeed is the core purpose of Amn series of exercises.
Organising this exercise is the effort to encourage the process of ‘Collaborative Maritime Security’ between regional and extra-regional navies. In this pursuit Pakistan Navy organised and hosted multi-national exercises Amn in March 2007, 2009, and the present exercise Amn-11 was third in the series.
These exercises are testament of Pakistan being a responsible country contributing towards peace and stability in the region. The word Amn derived from Arabic means peace and the slogan of the exercise is “Together for Peace”. A total of 11 ships from Australia, China, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and the US participated in Amn-11.
In addition, three MPAs (Maritime Patrol Aircraft) from Japan, Australia and SOF/EOD/Marines Teams from China, Turkey and US also participated in this multinational exercise Amn-11. The exercise was conducted from March 8 to March 12, 2011, and was planned with the following focused objectives and concepts:
a. Enhancing interoperability between regional and extra regional navies thereby acting as a bridge between the regions.
b. Display of united resolve against terrorism and crimes in maritime domain.
c. Practice anti-surface, anti-air warfare operations and search and rescue (SAR) procedures.
d. Develop common tactics against asymmetric, air and surface threats.
e. Provide common forum for information sharing, mutual understanding and identifying areas of common interests.
f. Develop and practice response tactics, techniques and procedures against asymmetric and traditional threats during sea phase of the exercise.
g. Intermingling of multinationals with depiction of their respective cultures.
The opening ceremony was arranged on 8 March 2011 at PN dockyard which was attended by large number of delegates/participants including ship’s crew and observers from twenty eight countries.
Pakistan Navy, apart from performing the noble duty of defending sea frontiers of Pakistan is also committed to the peace and stability of the entire region. Holding of Amn-11, is manifestation of such commitment. It is invigorating to observe that the efforts of Pakistan Navy are being acknowledged by the world community and the growing participation of nations in this exercise is a testimony to this fact.
