Exercises and visits

32nd Indo-Thai Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT)

The 32nd edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy was conducted from 12–14 November 2021. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Karmuk, an indigenously built Missile Corvette and His Majesty’s Thailand Ship (HTMS) Tayanchon, a Khamrosin Class Anti-submarine Patrol Craft, along with Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies participated in the CORPAT.

Towards reinforcing maritime links between the two countries and with an aim of keeping this vital part of the Indian Ocean safe and secure for international trade, the two navies have been undertaking CORPAT bi-annually since 2005 along their International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). CORPAT builds up understanding and interoperability between navies and facilitates institution of measures to prevent and suppress unlawful activities like Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery and piracy. It further helps enhance the operational synergy by exchange of information for prevention of smuggling, illegal immigration and for conduct of search and rescue (SAR) operations at sea.

Indian Navy participates in ‘SITMEX’

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Karmuk, an indigenously built missile corvette participated in the 3rd edition of India, Singapore and Thailand Trilateral Maritime Exercise SITMEX–21, from 15 to 16 November 2021 in Andaman Sea. Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) was represented by RSS Tenacious, a Formidable Class Frigate and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) by His Majesty’s Thailand Ship (HTMS) Thayanchon, a Khamrosin Class Anti-submarine Patrol Craft.

SITMEX is being conducted annually since 2019 with an aim to enhance mutual inter-operability and imbibing best practices between Indian Navy (IN), RSN and RTN. The maiden edition of SITMEX was hosted by IN off Port Blair in September 2019. RSN hosted the second edition of the exercise in November 2020. The 2021 edition of the exercise was hosted by RTN in Andaman Sea. The exercise was conducted as a ‹non-contact, at sea only› exercise in view of COVID-19 restrictions and highlighted growing synergy, coordination and cooperation in the maritime domain between the three friendly navies. The two days of maritime drills witnessed the three navies engaged in a various tactical exercises including naval manoeuvres and surface warfare drills.

6th Indo-France “EX SHAKTI 2021”

The Sixth Edition of Indo-France joint military exercise “Ex SHAKTI 2021” commenced at the Military School of Draguignan, France with an opening ceremony on 15 November 2021. The Indian Army contingent was represented by a composite team of three Officers, three Junior Commissioned Officers and 37 soldiers from a battalion of Gorkha Rifles and support Arms.

The training focused on aspects of joint planning, mutual understanding of conduct of operations and identification of

coordination aspects required for jointly operating in a Counter Terrorism environment under United Nations mandate. The participating contingents were also put through paces of combat conditioning and tactical training which included firing drills and ‘battle hardening’ work sessions. The exercise was conducted in two phases which culminated with a grueling 36 hours exercise to validate the standards achieved during the two phases.

The contingent apart from joint training went to visit MAzargues War Cemetery in Marseilles where 1,002 Indian soldiers of the First World War have been cremated. The Indian and French contingents together presented a Guard of Honour and paid their homage to commemorate the valour of the fallen bravehearts.

French Navy’s Chevalier Paul calls at Mumbai port

To demonstrate the strength of Indo-French naval cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, a French air defence destroyer called at Mumbai naval port after taking part in a large-scale air and naval joint exercise off the coast of Maharashtra.

FNS Chevalier Paul, a Horizon-class air defence destroyer is currently deployed in the Indian Ocean as part of France’s permanent military presence in the region. As part of this deployment, it made a port call at Mumbai on 18 November 2021, and later at Kochi, marking Indo-French naval cooperation and the central role that India plays in France’s naval presence and strategy in the Indian Ocean.

Ahead of its port call in Mumbai, the Chevalier Paul took part in a large-scale Indo-French air and naval exercise on 1617 November off the coast of Maharashtra. This exercise brought together 16 Indian and French aircraft, including French Mirage 2000 and Rafale’s from the Abu Dhabi airbase, as well as the Chevalier Paul destroyer. It aimed to simulate a highly complex air attack and defence scenario. It pitted two teams – each comprising both French and Indian pilots – against each other, in a demonstration of the high level of interoperability achieved by the French and Indian forces.

11th Indo-Maldives ‘Ex Ekuverin’

The 11th Edition of Exercise Ekuverin between India and Maldives was conducted at Kadhdhoo Island, Maldives from 6 to 19 December 2021. The exercise is meant to enhance synergy and interoperability between Armed Forces of both the Nations in terms of understanding transnational terrorism both on land and at sea, conducting Counter Terrorism & Counter Insurgency Operations and sharing best military practices and experiences. Besides rigorous training, the joint military exercise also included cultural and sports activities to enhance defence cooperation and bilateral relations. The exercise “will go a long way in strengthening India’s relations with Maldives amidst emerging security dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region”.

Mission SAGAR

As part of yet another deployment undertaken by Indian Navy since May 2020 under Mission SAGAR, Indian Naval Ship Kesari entered Port of Maputo, Mozambique on 25 December 2021. This was the eighth such deployment in consonance with the Indian Prime Ministers vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region and was conducted

in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, and other agencies of the Government of India.

These deployments were conducted in solidarity with India›s extended maritime neighbourhood and highlights the importance accorded by India to these special relationships. 500 tonnes of food aid has been shipped by INS Kesari to support the efforts of Government of Mozambique to cope with ongoing drought and concurrent challenges of pandemic. India also remains committed to supporting the capacity building efforts of the Armed Forces of Mozambique. To this end INS Kesari carried two Fast Interceptor Craft and self defence equipment which was handed over to the Armed Forces of Mozambique.

INS Kesari, a Landing Ship Tank (Large) had undertaken similar mission in May/June 2020 to provide humanitarian and medical assistance to Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros, including deployment of Medical Assistance Teams of the Indian Navy in multiple locations.

Since May 2020, the Indian Navy has deployed ships to 15 Friendly Foreign Countries under SAGAR missions. These deployments spanned over 215 days at sea have delivered a cumulative assistance of more than 3,000 MT of food aid, over 300 MT LMO, 900 Oxygen Concentrators and 20 ISO containers. Whilst undertaking, these missions Indian Naval Ships have traversed a cumulative distance of close to 40,000 nm which is nearly twice the circumference of earth. With a steadfast intent of making such high quantum of humanitarian assistance reach its destination in time, personnel from ships and shore organisations of Indian Navy have “invested close to a million man-hours to deliver succour to our friends overseas”.

Maritime exercise between Indian Navy and JMSDF

Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt undertook Maritime Partnership Exercise with Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Ships Uraga and Hirado in the Bay of Bengal on 13 January 2022. Both JMSDF ships were part of Minesweeper Division One and are on deployment to Indian Ocean Region with Captain Noguchi Yasushi, Commander Minesweeper Division One embarked onboard JS Uraga. The exercise was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, promoting defence cooperation, enhancing mutual understanding and inter-operability between the two navies and sharing best practices.

Indian Navy PASSEX with Russian Navy

Indian Navy’s indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer, INS Kochi, exercised with Russian Federation Navy’s RFS Admiral Tributs on 14 January 2022 in the Arabian Sea. The exercise showcased cohesiveness and interoperability between the two navies and included tactical manoeuvres, cross-deck helicopter operations and seamanship activities.

Western Naval Command conducts Exercise Paschim Lehar

A joint maritime exercise Paschim Lehar (XPL2022) conducted by the Indian Navy off the West Coast concluded on 25 January 2022. The exercise was conducted over a duration of 20 days with an objective to validate operational plans of the Western Naval Command and enhance Inter-Service synergy among the Indian Navy, IAF, Indian Army and Coast Guard. The exercise was conducted under the aegis of FOCin-C, Western Naval Command.

The intra-theatre exercise included mobilisation and participation of over 40 ships and submarines of the Indian Navy. In addition, the IAF deployed Su-30 MKI and Jaguar maritime strike aircraft, Flight refuelling aircraft and AWACS, alongside the Indian Navy’s maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8I, Dorniers, Il-38SD, unmanned aerial systems and MiG-29K strike aircraft. Various elements of the Indian Army including air defence batteries were also mobilised for the exercise. After a long gap, many OPVs, FPVs and Air Cushion Vessels of the Coast Guard also participated in exercise Paschim Lehar.

A variety of weapon firings in a realistic tactical scenario, besides validation of operational missions and tasks under varying settings, were undertaken during the exercise.