Image via WikipediaPakistan Navy (PN) is gearing-up for AMAN-11, in which Navies of forty-nine countries have been invited to participate in SOF, B. Tactical, and War at Sea exercises over the North ******* Sea in March 2011. The first of the series of AMAN Exercises was held in March 2007, which proved to be a major success. During this exercise 14 Ships from the Navies of Bangladesh, China, France, Italy, Malaysia, UK and USA participated. In addition to that, SOF/EOD teams from Bangladesh and Turkey also participated in Special Operation Forces (SOF) Exercises and 21 countries attended the exercise as observers. AMAN-09 was held in March 2009. During this Exercise 23 ships, 13 Aircraft and 9 SOF teams of Australia, Bangladesh, China, France, Japan, Malaysia, UK, Nigeria, Turkey and USA participated. Observers from 27 countries also attended the exercise.
The resounding success of the first two AMAN exercises, prompted PN to expand the number of participants in AMAN-11. Thirty-nine navies are participating in the current exercise including those with assets as well as observer countries. Navies with assets include: Australia, China, France, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Sri-Lanka, United Kingdom and USA. The AMAN exercises hold a lot of importance as they define and help improve the level of operational readiness, war- preparedness, task-accomplishment, Refine Command, control and communication procedures and tactics. Additionally, the war-games will enhance inter-operability and tactical proficiency, develop common tactics against asymmetric air, surface, and mine threats, promote ASuW / Air operations and its related interoperability between the participating unit, lethality of force, Survivability for the armed service. The international perspective of AMAN helps the PN meet international standards and integrate into the global system of maritime security at the same time the Pakistan’s naval forces also get a chance to showcase its military prowess. Maritime route is predominantly the most utilized means for global trade. The world is faced with ever increasing security threats due to terrorism and piracy which has sharply risen in the past decade. Hence, international trade can be adversely affected if the capabilities, tactical communication and coordination within the coalition forces are not bolstered. Integrated international exercises like AMAN are aimed at improving the working relationships amongst the coalition partners’ forces. Thus the operational readiness can be boosted to the levels required to tackle the security threats posed, thus enabling the coalition forces to effectively maintain maritime stability for international trade.
When it comes to joint operations with other countries, PN has always extended a helping hand to maintain peace, emphasizing its slogan for AMAN-11: “Together for Peace.” With the participation of 39 Navies, PN is endeavouring to establish an understanding between the cross cutting cleavages, encompassing maritime security operations, anti-terrorist operations and humanitarian assistance operations. Enhanced cooperation will definitely go miles in improving Response Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (RTTP) to build a sound preparedness level against conventional and non-conventional threats.
One of the key features of AMAN-11 is the showcasing of PN’s latest addition to its fleet: the F-22p Frigates. Everything ranging from the men in white to weapon systems will be gauged and bench-marked. A range of Surface Tactical Exercises are going to be held, included but not limited to; “Basic Communication Exercises” , “Go Fast Attack”, the tricky “Night Encounter Exercises”, etc. Air Tactical Exercises encompassing “Cross Deck Landings”, “ASV Strikes”, leading to exercises of the likes of “LRMP Interdiction/LRMP fighter evasion exercises”, “Search and Rescue” will be conducted.
The Special Operations Forces Exercises will include: HVBSS Operations, SVBSS Operations, Static line and Freefall water Jumps, Special Purpose Insertion and Extraction (SPIE) Operations, EOD Exercises, Maritime Counter Terrorist Exercises, Close Quarter Combat (CQC) Exercises, Frogman Exercises, and VBSS Operations during MIO. War at Sea Exercise (WASEX) will commence just before the closure of the sea phase. For this Exercise the participating Units will be divided into two task forces Blue and Orange. WASEX is going to incorporate Air-surface Warfare exercises as well as Anti-Air Warfare exercises.
Pakistan Navy has established its reputation in the arena of global maritime security by orchestrating AMAN-07, AMAN-09 and now AMAN-11. Pakistan holds a significant responsibility of maritime security, as 90% of the energy trade is carried out through the ******* Sea. Approximately 15 million barrels of oil are shipped through the ******* Sea. PN, a component of the coalition forces, has the responsibility of providing freedom of navigation and uninterrupted flow of trade to avoid any adverse effects on the global economy. PN has been a member of Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan since 2004 and has successfully commanded TF-150 four times, which is a tribute to its professionalism and honour for the country. Pakistan is now also a part of the new US led multinational Task Force-151 for counter-piracy operations. The upcoming AMAN-11 will also increase PN’s already well-established reputation of excellence by multiple magnitudes. This will also give the navy a chance to take on the helm of the recently established TF-151.
AMAN-11 will be instrumental in enhancing the tactical and operational readiness amongst its participating navies. Apart from the strategic relevance, existing ties between the participants will be augmented. Limelight will also be shed on the strategic importance of the North ******* Sea and the Indian Ocean. In doing so, Pakistan Navy’s geographical significance will be further magnified. Owing to Pakistan’s strategic location it is essential for our country to build this country’s maritime sector and to strengthen its navy, and leave a mark on friends and foes with such endeavours.
Pakistan Navy has always strived to maintain the highest echelons of “operational readiness” Come March 2011, Pakistan Navy will remove the spring-line on AMAN-11 and will play a leading role in preparing for peace. This endeavour is in consonance with Sun Tzu’s dictum: “In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected.”
—The author is an instructor at the National Defence University.
