Japanese Maritime Force ships visit Karachi Port: Pakistan Navy

KARACHI: Two ships of Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force have visited Karachi Port to participate in preparatory drills for multinational AMAN-19 exercise, Pakistan Navy said in a statement on Saturday.

The two Japanese ships will participate in various drills with Pakistan Navy, a spokesman said.

The ships of two navies will jointly participate in search and rescue operation and anti-piracy exercises, the Navy spokesman added.

The Japanese Maritime Self Defence ships arrived Karachi for port call to take part in preliminary drills of AMAN-19 exercise.

The preliminary activities for the exercise have commenced since January 19. Pakistan Navy enjoys longstanding cordial relations with Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force and both navies have been participating in maritime security operations for a long time and conducting sea exercises at various occasions.

Japan’s self defence force is a regular participant in AMAN exercises being conducted by the Pakistan Navy since 2007.

Pakistan Navy arranged a reception to welcome JMSDF ship at Karachi Port, wherein senior officials of the Pakistan Navy and diplomats from Japan received the ships. During port visit, a number of training, sports and leisure activities were conducted.

The sea exercises between Pakistan Navy and JMSDF ships covering wide range of naval operations aimed to enhance collaborative efforts towards maritime security in the region.

The JMSDF ships visit to Pakistan will further strengthen mutual collaboration between two navies through conduct of exercises and discussion on issues of common maritime interest.