Indo-Kazakhstan joint training exercise
As part of military diplomacy and to strengthen the growing strategic relation with Kazakhstan, the 5th edition of IndoKazakhstan Joint Training Exercise, “KAZIND-21” was conducted at Training Node, Aisha Bibi, Kazakhstan, from 30 August to 11 September 2021. The Indian Army contingent was represented by a battalion of The Bihar Regiment consisting of a total of 90 personnel led by a Contingent Commander. The Kazakhstan Army was represented by a company group.
The Exercise provided an opportunity to the Armed Forces of India and Kazakhstan to train for Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism operation in mountainous, rural scenario under UN mandate. The scope of Joint Exercise included professional exchange, planning and execution of operation in counter terrorism environment at sub unit level and sharing expertise on skills at arms, combat shooting and experiences in counter insurgency/counter terrorism operations.
Indian Navy’s maiden exercise with Algerian Navy
As part of her ongoing goodwill visit to Europe and Africa, INS Tabar took part in a Maritime Partnership Exercise with Algerian Navy ship ‘Ezzadjer’ on 29 August 2021. The landmark exercise, held off the Algerian coast, saw participation of a frontline Algerian warship, ‘Ezzadjer’. As part of the exercise, diverse activities including co- ordinated manoeuvring, communication procedures and steam past were undertaken between the Indian and Algerian warships. The exercise enabled the two navies to understand the concept of operations followed by each other, enhanced interoperability and opened the possibility of increasing interaction and collaboration between them in future.
INS Tabar exercises with Moroccan Navy
INS Tabar, as part of her overseas deployment, made a port call at Casablanca in Morocco on 25 and 26 August 2021. Upon leaving the harbour on 26 August, the ship participated in a Maritime Partnership Exercise with Royal Moroccan Navy ship ‘Lieutenant Colonel Arrahman’ off Casablanca port. Evolutions like communication drills, replenishment at sea procedures and naval manoeuvres were undertaken during the exercise. The exercise concluded with the traditional ‘Steam Past’ between the two ships to bid farewell to each other.
Indian Army and Exercise ZAPAD in Russia
A 200 personnel contingent of Indian Army participated in Exercise ZAPAD 2021, a Multi Nation exercise held at Nizhniy, Russia from 3 to 16 September 2021. ZAPAD 2021 is one of the theatre level exercises of Russian Armed Forces and focusses primarily on operations against terrorists. Over a dozen countries from Eurasian and South Asian Region participated in this signature event.
The NAGA Battalion group that participated in the exercise featured an all Arms combined task force. The exercise aims to enhance military and strategic ties amongst the participating nations while they plan and execute this exercise. The Indian contingent had been put through a strenuous training schedule which encompassed all facets of conventional operations including mechanised, airborne and heliborne, counter terrorism, combat conditioning and firing.
28th Edition of Singapore-India ‘SIMBEX’
The 28th edition of Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) was conducted from 2 to 4 September 2021. The Indian Navy was represented by Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvijay with a ship borne helicopter, ASW Corvette INS Kiltan and Guided Missile Corvette INS Kora and one P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Participants from the RSN included one Formidable Class Frigate, RSS Steadfast, embarked with an S-70B naval helicopter, one Victory Class Missile Corvette, RSS Vigour, one Archer Class Submarine and one Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Four F-16 fighter aircraft of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) also participated in the exercise during the Air Defence Drills.
Initiated in 1994, SIMBEX is the Indian Navy’s longest uninterrupted bilateral maritime exercise with any foreign navy.
INS Tabar’s visit to Alexandria
As part of her ongoing overseas deployment, INS Tabar entered Alexandria harbour in Egypt on 3 September 2021. The ship was received by officials from the Egyptian Navy and the Indian Defence Attache. Mr. Ajit Gupte, Ambassador of India to Egypt paid a visit to the ship and was provided a walk around and briefing on activities related to the ship’s deployment. Later, in the evening, a reception was hosted onboard, for which Rear Admiral Ayman al-Daly, Commander of Alexandria Naval Base, was the Chief Guest. The event was attended by a number of senior officers from the Egyptian Navy, the Alexandria government and a large number from the Indian diaspora. In addition, Commanding Officers and officers of Hellenic Navy ships Hydra and Lesbos and Cyprus Navy ship Andreas Loannides, which were visiting Alexandria for Exercise Bright Star with Egypt, were also present for the reception.
Royal Australian Navy and Indian Navy in bilateral Exercise AUSINDEX
Indian Navy Task Group comprising IN Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt, under the Command of Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral Tarun Sobti, participated in the 4th edition of AUSINDEX from 6 to 10 September 2021. Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Anzac Class Frigate, HMAS Warramunga which participated in Exercise MALABAR along with the IN units was also part of the exercise. This edition of AUSINDEX includes complex surface, sub-surface and air operations between ships, submarines, helicopters and long range maritime patrol aircraft of the participating navies.
The participating Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt are the latest indigenously designed and built guided missile stealth frigate and anti-submarine corvette respectively. They form part of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command. Commenced in 2015 as a bilateral IN-RAN maritime exercise, AUSINDEX has grown in complexity over the years and the 3rd edition of the exercise, held in 2019 in the Bay of Bengal, included anti-submarine drills for the first time.
Indian Navy exercises with German frigate Bayern
Indian Navy Ship INS Trikand exercised with German frigate Bayern in the Gulf of Aden on 26 August 2021. The exercise included cross deck helicopter landings and Visit Board Search & Seizure VBSS. The Exercise between Trikand (Mission Deployed in region for anti-piracy patrol) and Bayern was on her Indian Ocean leg of Indo-Pacific Deployment 2021. The objective was for enhanced interoperability and “facilitated exchange of best practices” between partner navies in the maritime domain .
Maritime partnership exercise with Egyptian Navy
INS Tabar undertook a maritime partnership exercise with ENS Alexandria, a frontline frigate of the Egyptian Navy, in the Mediterranean Sea. The exercise involved multiple activities covering a wide range of naval operations. These included drills for transit through asymmetric threat environment, operations for interdicting suspect vessels at sea, communication procedures, joint development of maritime domain picture and replenishment at sea drills. A highlight of the exercise was the cross-deck helo operations that involved helo recovery procedures and airborne light replenishment drills between the two ships.
SCO Exercise ‘Peaceful Mission’ at Orenburg, Russia
The 6th Edition of SCO Exercise Peaceful Mission 2021 hosted by Russia started at Orenburg Region of South West Russia on 20 September. The aim of the exercise was to foster close relations between SCO Member States and to enhance abilities of the military leaders to command multinational military contingents. An Indian military contingent comprising of an all arms combined force of 200 personnel from Indian Army and Indian Air force participated.
15th Indo-Nepal joint exercise ‘Surya Kiran’
15th Edition of Indo-Nepal Joint Military Training, Exercise Surya Kiran between Indian Army and Nepali Army commenced 20 September 2021 at Pithoragarh (UK). During this exercise, an Infantry Battalion from Indian Army and an equivalent strength from Nepali Army shared their experiences gained during the conduct of various counter-insurgency operations over a prolonged period in their respective countries. As part of the exercise, both the Armies familiarised themselves with each other’s weapons, equipment, tactics, techniques and procedures of operating in a counter-insurgency environment in mountainous terrain. The last edition of Exercise Surya Kiran was conducted in Nepal in 2019.
Indian Navy and Indonesian Navy participate in Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’
Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt arrived at Jakarta, Indonesia on 18 September 2021 to participate in the 3rd edition of Bilateral Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’ with the Indonesian Navy. The exercise aimed to strengthen the bilateral relationship, enhance mutual understanding and interoperability in maritime operations between the two navies. The participating Indian Navy ships Shivalik and Kadmatt are amongst the latest indigenously designed and built multi- role guided missile stealth frigate and anti-submarine corvette respectively, and form part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet, based at Visakhapatnam, under the Eastern Naval Command. Indian Navy’s AntiSubmarine Warfare capable Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft P8I also participated in the exercise. KRI Bung Tomo, KRI Malahayati and maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft CN-235 represented the Indonesian Navy.
India/Sri Lanka joint exercise ‘Mitra Shakti 21’
The 8th Edition of India Sri Lanka bilateral joint Exercise Mitra Shakti was conducted at Combat Training School, Ampara in Sri Lanka from 4 to 15 October 2021. An all arms contingent of 120 personnel of the Indian Army participated in the exercise along with a battalion of the Sri Lankan Army. The exercise involved tactical level operations at sub unit level in an international Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism environment and will go a long way in further strengthening the relationship between both the South Asian Nations and will act as a catalyst in bringing synergy and cooperation at grass root level between both Armies. The 7th Edition of Exercise Mitra Shakti was conducted at Foreign Training Node (FTN), Pune, Maharashtra (India) in 2019.
BNS Somudra Avijan at Visakhapatnam to commemorate Swarnim Vijay Varsh
Bangladesh Naval Ship ( BNS) Somudra Avijan arrived Visakhapatnam on a five-day visit to the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) on 3 October 2021. This visit by the Bangladesh Navy was to commemorate together the birth centenary of father of the nation, Bandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Swarnim Vijay Varsh marking the 50th anniversary of 1971 Indo-Pak war, which led to liberation of Bangladesh. The officers and crew of BNS Somudra Avijan were accorded a traditional welcome by the representatives of the ENC and the Eastern Fleet, with the navy band in attendance.
Fifth edition of Japan-India ‘JIMEX’
The 5th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise JIMEX, between Japan and India, was conducted in the Arabian Sea from 6–8 October 2021.The exercise saw the ships and aircraft of Japan Maritime Self Defence Force JMSDF and Indian Navy engaging in a high tempo of operations focused on air, surface and sub-surface dimensions of maritime operations as well as the air domain.
The IN, under the command of RAdm Ajay Kochhar, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, participated with guided missile destroyer, INS Kochi (with Sea King MK 42B helicopter) and the guided missile frigate INS Teg (with SAR capable Chetak helicopter). The IN also fielded a P8I, a shore-based maritime reconnaissance aircraft and MiG 29K fighters. The JMSDF was led by RAdm Ikeuchi Izuru, Commander, Escort Flotilla Three comprising of the Izumo Class helicopter carrier Kaga and the guided missile destroyer Murasame. Both ships participated with integral SH60K helicopters.
India–UK Exercise ‘Ajeya Warrior’
The 6th Edition of India-UK Joint Company Level Military Training Exercise Ajeya Warrior commenced at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand and culminated on 20 October 2021. The exercise is part of an initiative to develop inter-operability and sharing expertise with friendly foreign nations. During this exercise, an Infantry Company from Indian Army and an equivalent strength from UK Army shared their experiences gained during the conduct of various military operations in their respective countries and during overseas engagements.
17th edition of Indo-US Exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas 2021’
As part of the ongoing Indo-US Defence Cooperation, the Joint Military Training Exercise “Ex Yudh Abhyas 2021” was conducted at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska (USA) from 15 to 29 October 2021. The contingent, comprising of 350 personnel of an Infantry Battalion Group departed on 14 October 2021. Exercise Yudh Abhyas is the largest running joint military training and defence cooperation endeavor between India and USA. This was the 17th Edition of the joint exercise which is hosted alternately between both countries. The previous version of this exercise was held at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Bikaner, Rajasthan in February 2021. This exercise is another step in the growing military cooperation between the two countries.
Indian Army team wins gold in Exercise ‘Cambrian Patrol’ (UK)
A team from 4/5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) which represented the Indian Army at the prestigious Cambrian Patrol Exercise at Brecon, Wales, UK from 13-15 October 2021 was awarded a gold medal. Ex Cambrian Patrol organised by the UK Army is considered the ultimate test of human endurance, team spirit and is sometimes referred as the Olympics of Military Patrolling among militaries in the world. The Indian Army team participated in the event and competed against a total of 96 teams which included 17 international teams representing Special Forces and prestigious regiments from around the world.
Indo-Sri Lanka Exercise ‘Mitra Shakti’
The 8th Edition of joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army, Exercise Mitra Shakti was conducted from 4- 16 October 2021, culminated at Combat Training School, Ampara. Exercise Mitra Shakti, based on counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations in semi urban terrain is the largest bilateral exercise being undertaken by the Sri Lankan Army and it forms a major part of India and Sri Lanka’s growing defence partnership.
Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) visits Sri Lanka
The 1st Training Squadron ( comprising Indian Naval Ships Sujata, Magar, Shardul, Sudarshini, Tarangini and Coast Guard Ship Vikram) was on a four day visit to Sri Lanka from 24- 28 October 2021 as part of their Overseas Deployment for the 100th and 101st Integrated Officers Training Course. The deployment is aimed to broaden the horizons of young officers and officertrainees by exposing them to the socio- political and maritime facets of different countries in the Indian Ocean Region.
The 1s T r a i n i n g Squadron based at Kochi provides the ‘first sea legs’ to the Executive Officers of the Indian Navy on completion of their ab-initio training at the Indian Naval Academy. The Squadron comprises seven indigenously built ships, namely, Indian Naval Ships Tir, Sujata, Magar, Shardul, Coast Guard Ship Vikram and two Sail Training Ships INS Sudarshini and INS Tarangini. The Squadron is currently helmed by Captain Aftab Ahmed Khan, Senior Officer First Training Squadron who also dons the dual hat of Commanding Officer, INS Tir.