KARACHI, Feb 20: Chinese and western navies and Iranian observers will participate in a multi-nation naval exercise, Aman 07, to be held by the Pakistan Navy early next month.

Navies of 27 countries will take part in the exercise. Eight of the countries will participate in the exercise with their naval forces, naval aviation elements and special operation forces and the rest will be represented by observers – one from each country.

This was announced by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Mohammad Afzal Tahir, at a news conference at the COMKAR office on Tuesday.

Replying to a question, he rejected a perception that the exercise was linked to the huge build-up of western navies in the region due to their standoff with Iran.

The exercise, he said, had “nothing to do with the situation in Iran; it was planned a year ago” when this kind of mobilisation was not there.

The participating nations are Bangladesh, China, France, Italy, Malaysia, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States, besides Pakistan.

Countries sending observers are Australia, Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Sudan, Spain, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iran.

The naval chief said the major international undertaking by the Pakistan Navy, from March 4 to 13, would commence with an international maritime conference at the Bahria University in which Indian experts would also participate.

The Pakistan Navy – a part of the international coalition against terrorism – Aman 07 was aimed at displaying united resolve against terrorism and projecting Pakistan as a country contributing to peace and stability, as well as consolidating the PN’s position in the regional maritime security matrix.

It would also help enhance interoperability with regional and extra-regional navies, thereby acting as a bridge between the regions, he said. Admiral Tahir said the exercise was 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 the exercise was divided into harbour and sea phases and would be conducted in the North Arabian Sea, remaining outside the Exclusive Economic Zone and ADIZ of neighbouring countries.

There would be no infringement of any country’s waters or air space.

The harbour phase will be used for pre-sail conferences, coordination meetings, safety briefs and table-top discussions. The sea phase will include exercises focusing on maritime security operations.

A fleet review is planned for March 10 during which all participating units, including naval aviation, will participate.

Replying to another question, the naval chief made it clear that Pakistani ships did not lack in any form of modern technology.

He was optimistic that the exercise would play a role for peace in the region.

He said an international conference on “Maritime threats and opportunities in 21st century: A global perspective on Indian Ocean” would be held

from March 4 to 6 under the auspices of the National Centre of Maritime Policy Research – a maritime focused think-tank recently established under the aegis of the Bahria University.

It is intended to engage international experts and scholars, maritime professionals form government and non-government organisations, as well as private sector stakeholders. The three primary themes are economics and trade, maritime environment and maritime security.