AMAN 17 and the Balance of Power in the Indian Ocean

[PDFChamp]

Navies from over 35 countries have teamed up in the North Arabian Sea from 10 to 14 February 17 for Multinational Exercise AMAN-17 being hosted by the Pakistan Navy. A grand display of “collective resolve” to comprehensively fight maritime security challenges through shared effort, organized every two years, Exercise AMAN (Peace) is breathtaking in scale and scope. The enduring theme of AMAN has been “Together for Peace”. A multinational wargame, AMAN, aims to ensure security and stability in a critical region of what is known as the “global commons”.

• It all began in March 2007 when the first of its kind AMAN exercise was held. There were then some 28 participating countries.
  
• The fifth in the series, AMAN- 17 has drawn an extraordinary number of participating countries. This representation will show in the form of ships with embarked helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, special operation forces, explosive ordnance disposal, marines teams and observers.
  
• An International Maritime Conference (IMC-17) will precede the two-day joint manoeuvres at sea. In the conference, panels of international and local scholars will weigh up contemporary maritime security environment and challenges therein to proffer workable solutions.
  
• At sea however it would be different. Refining doctrinal concepts, combat drills against transnational threats and challenges, special operations and interoperability exercises will test the joint skills of navies and professional teams.

India introducing danger in IOR:

Some tectonic developments have however lately started reshaping the regional maritime environment. The region is becoming a receptacle, more of competition and conflict of interests than cooperation.

• The induction of SSBNs and cutting edge platforms like P8I, an expanding strategic naval alliance between USN-IN, the Logistic Sharing Agreement (a virtual war pact between the United States and India), construction of Indian naval and surveillance bases overseas on Islands (like Seychelles).

Pakistan Responds:

• Pakistan recently tested a 700 km land-sea version of cruise missile, Babur.
  
• To ensure adequate stability, Pakistan tested its version of submarine launched cruise missile, Babur III early this January.
• Pakistan Navy has raised a Special naval Task Force to protect and safeguard the Gwadar port. The newly-instituted special Task Force will include ships, fast attack craft, drones and surveillance assets to guard the port as well as adjoining sea.

Conclusion:

In the foreseeable future both, China and Russia are likely to increase their “political footprint” in the western Indian Ocean. The region will witness a struggle for balance of power. India and the United States will mutually endeavour to block China and Pakistan from advancing their commercial and maritime interests in the Indian Ocean.

The enormous multinational participation in AMAN is a living testimony of Pakistan’s immutable resolve for peace and security in a sea expanse crucial to global stability. In no small measure, the large-scale exercise also negates the impression that Pakistan is drifting into international isolation, a cliché so often voiced by its eastern neighbour.

 

[MarcsPakistan]

Pakistan Zindabad!!

 

[Virginia Luther]

Hi,
Thank you so much for the information.I am actually looking for this news, I searched through some of the sites and paper writing but I didn't get correct news.I appreciate the decision. Looking for the next operation.
Thanks!

 

[Penguin]

Block China, not necessarily Pakistan. I think it is high time India and Pakistan resolve their issues. There are more important global strategic issues.

The organisation and participation in large multinational (naval) exercises does not necessarily spell or imply 'alliances'. See also Carat and Rimpac.