MK sports in Karachi, Pakistan, on February 10, 2023. Photo: VCG" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2025/2025-01-15/daeba68e-8158-4d1e-8195-aa4fa9365fd4.jpeg" />

Pakistan Naval personal carry national flags of participating countries during the opening ceremony of Pakistan Navy's Multinational Exercise AMAN-23 (PEACE), in Karachi, Pakistan, on February 10, 2023. Photo: VCG

A group of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy warships will join a multinational maritime joint exercise in Pakistan this month with a focus on anti-piracy operations and maritime security cooperation. The drill will enhance the security of vital sea lanes, thereby reinforcing China's overseas interests, a Chinese military expert said on Thursday.

At the invitation of the Pakistani military, a PLA Navy formation consisting of the Baotouand the Gaoyouhuwill participate in the AMAN-2025 multinational maritime joint exercise in Pakistan in early- to mid-February, China's Ministry of National Defense announced in a statement on Thursday.

During this period, participating vessels from various countries will conduct exercises focusing on maritime replenishment, joint anti-piracy operations, search and rescue, and air defense, with the aim of enhancing their ability to jointly maintain maritime security, the Chinese Defense Ministry said.

The Baotou, a Type 052D guided missile destroyer, and the Gaoyouhu, a Type 903A comprehensive replenishment ship, are a part of the PLA Navy's 47th escort task force to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia that set out from China in December 2024, according to a report by China Central Television (CCTV) at the time.

Deploying vessels from the escort task force showed flexibility, as Pakistani waters are closer to the Gulf of Aden than to the Chinese coast. It also showed that the escort task force is capable of carrying out a range of military operations, Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Thursday.

The Type 052D destroyer and the Type 903A replenishment ship form an effective pairing, as the destroyer will be responsible for combat and the replenishment ship will provide logistics support, enhancing overall combat capabilities, Zhang said.

The Global Times learned from the Pakistan Navy that the AMAN-2025 exercise is scheduled to be held from Friday to Tuesday in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi. It is to be conducted in two phases, a harbor phase that includes seminars, operational discussions, professional demonstrations, international gatherings and sports fixtures, then a sea phase that will feature tactical maneuvers, anti-piracy operations, counter-terrorism operations, search and rescue drills and live-fire shooting exercises, as well as an international fleet review.

Zhang pointed out that the exercise primarily addresses non-traditional security challenges, particularly in joint anti-piracy efforts. He said that these non-traditional security threats are common enemies of all countries, and the drill will enhance the collective ability of participating nations to counter maritime security threats and maintain regional stability.

The drill will play a key role in securing critical sea lanes, Zhang said. He noted that with the PLA Navy's participation, it will also help protect China's maritime interests abroad.

According to the Pakistan Navy, some 60 countries will participate in the exercise, sending vessels, aircraft, special operations forces, marine forces and observers.

Zhang said that the drill provides a valuable platform for China and other participating countries to boost mutual understanding and friendship, and to strengthen cooperation frameworks for the future.