The 8th multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN-23, being hosted by Pakistan Navy, hit waters in Karachi on Friday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The five-day exercise, starting February 10 and ending on February 14, involves participants from more than 50 countries with ships, aircraft, Special Operations Forces Marine teams and observers.
At the start of the ceremony flags of the participants, and countries were hoisted.
At a news briefing on Thursday, Commander of the Pakistan Fleet Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami commented on the importance of the exercises in light of piracy, terrorism, narcotics and arms trafficking, and climate change.
The exercise is divided into two phases: harbour and sea. Harbour phase involves activities such as seminars, operational discussions, professional demonstrations, international get-togethers and pre-sail planning of evolutions at sea.
The navy has been conducting the Aman exercise every two years since its beginning in 2007. It is aimed at providing a forum for understanding maritime concepts and operational cultures, enhancing interoperability as well as identifying ways and means to combat common threats at sea.
Meanwhile, the first-ever Pakistan International Maritime Expo & Conference also kicks off at the Expo Centre in Karachi today.