Pakistan invites Morocco to take part in naval exercise Aman-2023

Pakistan has invited Morocco to take part in the 8th Naval Exercise Aman (Peace) to be organized in February next year by this South-Asian Muslim country.

The invitation was extended during a visit paid by Chief of Pakistan Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi to the North African Kingdom, according to press reports.

During this visit, Head of Pakistan’s navy met with Vice-admiral Mustafa El Alaoui, Royal Moroccan Navy Inspector. Talks focused on matters of mutual interest, naval cooperation, regional maritime security and bilateral collaboration.

The goal of the multinational exercise AMAN 23 is to enhance interoperability between regional and other navies. It serves as a global platform for strengthening communication amongst participating naval fleets as it takes place in the Indian Ocean which is facing growing illicit activities.

The Indian Ocean is the world’s busiest trade corridor. Two-thirds of global oil shipments and one-third of bulk cargo transit via this Ocean, roughly 80 pc of China’s. Around 90 % of South Korea’s and 90 % of Japan’s oil pass through the Indian Ocean.

AMAN promotes a shared vision to reinforce maritime security in the Arabian Sea and the wider Indian Ocean. The exercise is designed to ensure unhindered and safe trade through the Indian Ocean region.

“Highlight of Aman-23 is its concurrent conduct with maiden Pakistan international Maritime Expo and conference planned February 10 to 12, 2023,” an official of the organising team of this global event had told the media. The official said Aman-23 would be divided into harbour and sea phases. In harbour phase, maritime counter terrorism demos would be performed by Pakistan Navy Special Services Group (SSG) troops and Pakistan international maritime expo and conference would be key events; while under sea phase, Pakistan Navy would perform rocket depth charge firing, surface firing on killer tomato, which are most liked and popular events.