The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) ships HMS Jazan and HMS Hail have actively participated 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 to enhance maritime cooperation, improve interoperability, and address evolving security challenges in international waters.
HMS Jazan & HMS Hail: Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s Maritime Defense
Both HMS Jazan and HMS Hail belong to the Sarawat-class corvettes, based on the Avante 2200 design, developed by Spain’s Navantia under the Saudi Naval Expansion Program II. These advanced warships are designed for multi-role operations, including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare, enhancing the RSNF’s ability to safeguard regional and international waters.
Key Features of HMS Jazan & HMS Hail:
1- Weapon Systems: Armed with MBDA Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles, VL MICA surface-to-air missiles, a Leonardo 76mm naval gun, and the Rheinmetall Millennium 35mm CIWS for defense against aerial and missile threats.
2- Aviation Capabilities: Each vessel features a flight deck and hangar to support operations of an NH90 naval helicopter, enhancing anti-submarine warfare (ASW), reconnaissance, and search-and-rescue (SAR) capabilities.
3- Specifications: With a displacement of approximately 2,500 tons and a top speed exceeding 25 knots, these corvettes are optimized for maritime security operations, escort missions, and naval defense.
AMAN 2025: Strengthening Global Naval Cooperation
Since its launch in 2007, the AMAN exercise series has served as a vital forum for international naval collaboration. AMAN 2025 focused on enhancing collective responses to maritime security threats, improving tactical coordination, and fostering strong naval partnerships.
The exercise was structured into two main phases:
1- Harbor Phase: Held in Karachi, featuring operational briefings, planning sessions, cross-deck visits, and cultural engagements to strengthen camaraderie among participating navies.
2- Sea Phase: Conducted in the Arabian Sea, this phase included anti-piracy drills, search-and-rescue (SAR) operations, maritime interdiction exercises, and live-fire demonstrations to enhance real-world operational readiness.
AMAN Dialogue: A Strategic Platform for Maritime Security
A key highlight of AMAN 2025 was the AMAN Dialogue, a dedicated forum for discussions on regional security, naval cooperation, and evolving maritime threats. Delegates from Saudi Arabia actively contributed to discussions on protecting critical sea lanes, ensuring freedom of navigation, and countering emerging challenges such as piracy and smuggling.
The participation of HMS Jazan and HMS Hail demonstrated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to international maritime security, reinforcing the RSNF’s role in promoting stability and cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and beyond.
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