New Delhi, Aug 15: The 10th of August 2021 edition of The Children’s Post discussed a debate on Maritime Security at the UNSC and highlighted the importance of maritime security for a country like India with its long coastline of 7,000 km. The Neighbourhood First Policy of India, focused on strengthening connections with local neighbours, is now being extended to maritime neighbours in the Indian and Pacific oceans. The Indian Navy is undertaking various exercises with foreign navies which are mutually advantageous to both since they strengthen ties between governments and navies while also strengthening cooperative efforts against marine threats.
Exercises by the Indian Navy: On 07 August ‘21, INS Talwar participated in a maritime partnership exercise with the Kenyan Navy Ship (KNS) Shujaa, an offshore patrol vessel in Mombasa, Kenya. The ships conducted basic manoeuvring drills to improve maritime cooperation. KNS Shujaa commended the Indian Navy for supporting marine safety in the southern Indian Ocean Region (IOR), particularly the East Coast of Africa.
On August 8, 2021, INS Tabar (constructed by Russians) visited Bergen harbour in Norway on invitation and participated in a Maritime Partnership Exercise with Royal Norwegian Navy ship, HNoMS Storm. This is a first of its kind exercise by Indian navy with Norway.
INS Kochi, India’s indigenously designed and built stealth guided missile destroyer with two integrated Sea King MK 42B helicopters, was deployed in the Persian Gulf. On 7 August 2021, it took part in the bilateral exercise named ‘Zayed Talwar 2021′ with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Navy off the coast of Abu Dhabi. The UAE sent AL – Dhafra, a guided missile corvette, and one AS – 565B Panther helicopter.
As part of the exercise, the ships performed tactical manoeuvres, over-the-horizon targeting, search and rescue, and electronic warfare drills to improve interoperability and synergy between the two fleets. Throughout the exercise, helicopters were heavily deployed, from search & rescue missions to deliver target data to ships for simulated missile engagement rehearsals.
After completing joint exercises in the UAE, INS Kochi arrived and docked in the Saudi port of Al-Jubail on Monday, ushering in a new chapter in bilateral defence ties with the first of its kind ‘AlMohed Al-Hindi 2021′, bilateral naval exercises between Indian Navy and Royal Saudi Arabia Navy on August 10, 2021. On Monday, two Indian ships, the INS Shivalik, a stealth destroyer, and the INS Kadmatt, an anti-submarine warfare corvette, arrived at Muara, Brunei, to participate in a joint drill. The harbour engagements and sea exercises aim to deepen the two fleets’ strong bond while
also strengthening India-Brunei defence relations. During training with the Royal Brunei Navy, the goal was to improve interoperability, learn from best practices, and build a common knowledge of
procedures for Maritime Security Operations. This exercise concluded on August 12, 2021. Following the end of the bilateral exercise with the Royal Brunei Navy, these ships will go to Guam to participate in MALABAR-21 exercise with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), and United States Navy (USN). The navies of the four countries will take part in the Malabar drills for the second time this year. Last year, naval ships and soldiers from the four countries took part in the MALABAR-21drills off the coast of India. From a first call to a Norwegian port to manoeuvres in the Persian Gulf to joint drills with Australian, US, and Japanese counterparts in Guam, the Indian Navy is expanding its maritime diplomacy in full force.