IDEX/ NAVDEX 17 at UAE: INS Sunayna was deployed to Abu Dhabi, UAE from 10 Feb-12 Mar 17 to participate in the International Defence Expo 2017 (IDEX 17) and Naval Defence Maritime Security Expo 17 (NAVDEX 17).
Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) – 2017: LIMA is a biennial maritime exhibition organised by the Malaysian Navy. It is aimed at improving maritime cooperation and bringing together military and civil industrial partnership. IN has been participating regularly in LIMA. This year, IN ship Kora participated in LIMA 17 at Langkawi, Malaysia, from 20 – 26 Mar 17.
Overseas Deployment of Eastern Fleet Ships : Ships of the Eastern Fleet comprising INS Sahyadri, Shivalik, Kamorta, and Jyoti were deployed to the Southern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific in May-Jun17. The ships made port calls at Singapore, Kuantan, Jakarta, Surabaya, Port Moresby and Fremantle.
Eastern Fleet OSD for ASEAN and INDRA 17: EF ships Satpura and Kadmatt were deployed for ASEAN International Fleet Review (IFR) and INDRA-17, an annual bilateral exercise with the Russian Navy.
International Maritime Review (IMR): The IMR was held by Singapore Navy on 15 May 17 to commemorate its 50 years. IN ships Sahyadri and Kamorta participated in the IMR.
Seychelles National Day Celebrations: INS Sunayna visited Seychelles from 26-30 Jun 17 to participate in Seychelles National Day celebrations. A march past was carried out by a naval contingent from the ship and chetak helicopter participated in the Fly Past activities.
Overseas Deployment of Western Fleet Ships: Four ships of the Western Fleet proceeded on Overseas Deployment to the Mediterranean Sea/ Atlantic Ocean. One of these ships also called on five ports in the West Coast of Africa. The ships visited Port Said and Alexandria (Egypt), Souda Bay (Greece), Toulon (France), Valencia (Spain), Haifa (Israel), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Plymouth (UK), London (UK), Lisbon(Portugal), Casablanca (Morocco), Lagos (Nigeria), Luanda (Angola), Port Walvis (Namibia), Cape Town(South Africa), Port Louis(Mauritius) and Valencia (Spain).
First Training Squadron – Overseas Deployments: The first Training Squadron comprising IN Ships Tir, Sujata, Shardul, Tarangini, Sudarshini and Indian Coast Guard Ship Varuna are responsible for Sea training of Executive branch officers after they complete their training at Indian Naval Academy. The ships undertake deployment across the Indian Ocean to teach the nuances of life at sea to trainee officers. The sail training ships, Tarangini and Sudarshini undertook oceanic voyages to nurture the art of sailing amongst young officers.
Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Mhadei: INSV Mhadei, with all women crew (06 officers), departed from Goa on 02 Nov 16 and arrived Cape Town on 23 Dec 16. Thereafter, the vessel participated in Cape to Rio Race 2017, with 06 officers onboard (including 02 lady officers). On successful completion of the race she entered Rio de Janeiro on 22 Jan 17 and departed on 01 Feb 17. Subsequently, the ship entered Cape Town, South Africa on 25 Feb 17 and arrived Goa on 22 May 17.
Navika Sagar Parikarma: Six naval women officers are undertaking Navika Sagar Parikrama on an Indian-built 56 feet long Sailing Vessel, INSV Tarini. This is first Indian all-women crew circumnavigation of the globe under sail. Expedition was flagged-off from Goa on 10 Sep 17 and is expected to return to Goa in Apr 18.
Major Exercises by the Navy in 2017
Ex Taiyaar-17: Ex Taiyaar 17 was conducted in Jan 17. The exercise is an annual feature which allows the Naval Commands to fully prepare and exercise transition from a state of peace to one of hostilities and address any shortcomings that may be encountered. Various facets that were exercised included Op logistics, action stripping, Mine & War watching organisation, deployments by Fast Intercepter Crafts (FICs), acceleration of Refit, etc.
TROPEX-17: A Theatre Level Operational Exercise - TROPEX’17, was conducted on the Western Seaboard in Jan-Feb’17. Extensive participation of Army, Air force and the Coast Guard, including Marine Commandos (MARCOS) and Para Special Force (SF) was the highlight of the exercise.
Joint Amphibious Workup: Joint amphibious workup by IN and Indian Army was conducted from 19 - 31 Mar’17 off Karwar. IN ships Jalashwa and Gharial along with over 1000 personnel of 91 Infantry Brigade of Army participated in the exercise.
Exercise PARIKSHAN: Western Naval Command conducted operational level Table Top Tri-Service wargame titled ‘Exercise PARIKSHAN’ from 07-09 Aug 17. Representatives from Naval Headquarters, and operational commands of the Army and Air Force in the region also participated in the wargame.
DANX – 17: The Joint Services Exercise ‘Defence of Andaman and Nicobar Exercise’ (DANX-17) was conducted in Andaman & Nicobar Command from 20-25 Nov’17. IN/ICG Ships, IN/IAF/ICG aircraft and Army troops from ANC and other Commands of IN, IA & IAF participated in the exercise. The successful conduct of the exercise proved unparalleled synergy achieved at ANC between the three services.
