ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise

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The ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX) is a regular naval exercise held by the navies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It aims to build trust, improve skills, and make it easier for ASEAN navies to work together at sea. AMNEX focuses on non-combat areas like maritime safety, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and protection of the marine environment. [1] [2]

Contents

History

AMNEX was first proposed by the Royal Thai Navy and agreed at the 8th ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting in 2014. The first AMNEX (AMNEX-1) was hosted by Thailand in November 2017 around Pattaya in the Gulf of Thailand with the theme “Protection and Preservation of the Marine Environment.” [2] The second AMNEX took place in the Philippines on 12–15 May 2023, based in Subic, with both shore and sea phases and an ASEAN Fleet Review. [3] The third AMNEX was hosted by Malaysia on 16–22 August 2025 in Penang, alongside the 19th ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting (ANCM), an ASEAN Navies’ City Parade, and an ASEAN Fleet Review. [4] [5] [6] [7]

Aims and activities

AMNEX builds simple, common procedures among ASEAN navies. Typical activities include:

Editions

    The table below lists all editions. (Note: There was no AMNEX in 2024; the sequence is 2017, 2023, 2025.) [3] [7]

    EditionYearHost country (host navy)DatesMain location(s) / areasSelected activities and notesSources
    1st (AMNEX-1)2017Thailand (Royal Thai Navy)13–22 November 2017Pattaya; Gulf of ThailandTheme: “Protection and Preservation of the Marine Environment”; at-port and at-sea phases; maritime interception, logistics at sea, airborne supply, and marine environmental protection drills. [2]
    2nd (AMNEX-2)2023Philippines (Philippine Navy)12–15 May 2023Subic Bay and waters off Subic (Luzon)Shore phase and opening at Naval Operating Base Subic; sea phase with SAR, maneuvering, and comms drills; ASEAN Fleet Review (11 May). [3] "ASEAN exercise, naval chiefs meeting demonstrate unity, 'voice for peace'". Indo-Pacific Defense Forum. 13 June 2023.
    3rd (AMNEX-3)2025Malaysia (Royal Malaysian Navy)16–22 August 2025Penang; adjacent watersWith 19th ANCM, ASEAN Navies’ City Parade, and ASEAN Fleet Review; participation of ~10 ships and >1,200 personnel (per organizers); RSN RSS Vigour among participants. [4] [6] "ASEAN warships sail together off Penang waters". GMA News. 22 August 2025. [8] [7]

    See also

    References

    1. ↑ "Confidence-Building: ASEAN Navies Lead the Way". RSIS Commentary. S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. 2017.
    2. 1 2 3 4 "ASEAN navies' joint exercise for a peaceful sea". People’s Army Newspaper (Vietnam). 24 November 2017.
    3. 1 2 3 4 "Singapore Navy Participates in the Second ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise". MINDEF Singapore. 13 May 2023.
    4. 1 2 "3rd ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX)". ASEAN Malaysia 2025. August 2025.
    5. ↑ "Thousands turn up in Penang to tour ASEAN naval ships at Swettenham Pier". Malay Mail. 17 August 2025.
    6. 1 2 "Landmark 19th ASEAN Navy Chiefs' Meeting gets underway in Penang". The Star (Malaysia). 19 August 2025.
    7. 1 2 3 "Singapore Navy Concludes Third Multilateral Naval Exercise with ASEAN Navies". MINDEF Singapore. 22 August 2025.
    8. ↑ "Third ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise kick-started". People’s Army Newspaper (Vietnam). 16 August 2025.
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