Multinational naval forces arrive for 'Aman 09' exercises

Published: March 06, 2009

KARACHI - Naval ships from eight different countries including USA, UK, China, Australia, France, Malaysia and Bangladesh arrived here Thursday to participate in the multinational naval exercise Aman 09 being conducted from March 5-14 in the Arabian Sea under arrangements of Pakistan Navy.
An announcement to this effect was made in a press release of ISPR (Navy) here.
It said that the exercise would be conducted in three phases; Planning, operational exercises at sea and finally the analysis and debriefs. Upon entering the Karachi harbour, the participating ships were given a warm welcome by Pakistan Navy officers and sailors with military bands playing tunes of national songs. Talking to the media men Commander Chen Ye Qi, Commanding Officer of Chinese Ship GUANG ZHOU said that the long-standing Pakistan-China friendship is beyond any boundaries. He expressed his delight for availing this chance to exercise with Pakistan Navy in the warm waters of Arabian Sea. Scores of Chinese based in Pakistan were present to receive their countryâ€™s ship in their traditional style.
The Commanding Officer of Australian Ship, Commander Andrew Gordon informed that after 1993 this is the first time the Australian ship has visited Pakistan for deep sea exercises.
He appreciated the efforts of Pakistan Navy generated to conduct this large-scale exercise.
Captain Tony McNally, Commanding Officer of British Ship RFA Diligence expressed his gratitude and eagerness to participate in this multinational exercise. The planning and briefing phase commenced today wherein Standing Operating Procedures for the exercise would be deliberated upon.