The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ship JS Murasame has taken part in the prestigious AMAN 2025 multinational maritime exercise, held from February 7 to February 11, 2025, in the Arabian Sea. Hosted by the Pakistan Navy, AMAN 2025 brought together naval forces from over 60 countries, aiming to promote regional stability and enhance maritime cooperation.
Details of JS Murasame The JS Murasame is a highly capable destroyer in the JMSDF’s fleet. Commissioned in 1996, it is part of the Murasame-class and is equipped with cutting-edge technology to address a wide range of naval challenges. Key features of the JS Murasame include:
- Weapon Systems: A 76mm OTO Melara gun for surface targets, Sea Sparrow and RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM) for air defense, ASROC (Anti-Submarine Rocket) for underwater threats, and the Phalanx CIWS for close-range defense.
- Aviation Capabilities: It carries SH-60J/K Seahawk helicopters, enhancing its reconnaissance, anti-submarine, and search-and-rescue capabilities.
- Specifications: With a displacement of 4,550 tons and a top speed exceeding 30 knots, the destroyer is optimized for operations such as escort missions, anti-submarine warfare, and disaster relief.
AMAN 2025: Fostering Maritime Cooperation Since its inception in 2007, the AMAN exercise series has become a vital forum for international naval collaboration. AMAN 2025 focused on strengthening partnerships, improving interoperability, and addressing non-traditional maritime security threats, such as piracy, smuggling, and maritime terrorism. The exercise was divided into two main phases:
- Harbor Phase: Held in Karachi, this phase included operational briefings, planning sessions, and cultural activities to promote camaraderie among participating navies.
- Sea Phase: Conducted in the Arabian Sea, it featured drills such as anti-piracy operations, search and rescue (SAR) exercises, and maritime interdiction operations to enhance the practical coordination between fleets.
AMAN Dialogue A notable highlight of AMAN 2025 was the AMAN Dialogue, a dedicated platform for discussions on maritime security, regional collaboration, and shared challenges in the maritime domain. Delegates from participating countries, including naval officials, defense experts, and maritime strategists, engaged in thought-provoking discussions about safeguarding critical sea lanes, ensuring freedom of navigation, and enhancing collective responses to emerging threats. The dialogue emphasized the importance of shared responsibility in maintaining peace and security in international waters. Japan’s delegation shared insights into the JMSDF’s role in promoting peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and reiterated the significance of multilateral exercises like AMAN in addressing global maritime challenges.
