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INS TEG CONCLUDES VISIT TO PORT VICTORIA, SEYCHELLES

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Explore the key outcomes of INS Teg's visit to Port Victoria, Seychelles, as it fosters international relations and enhances maritime cooperation.

INS Teg, a frontline stealth frigate of the Western Naval Command, concluded a port visit at Port Victoria, Seychelles on 30 Jun 2025. The visit formed part of the ship’s operational deployment to the South West Indian Ocean Region and featured a wide spectrum of professional, social and cultural engagements, underscoring the maritime partnership between India and Seychelles.

On arrival at Port Victoria on 26 Jun 2025, the Commanding Officer called on senior government and military officials of Seychelles, including Maj Gen Michael Rosette, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) SPDF, Mr Sylvestre Radegonde, the Minister of Home Affairs and Mr Kartik Pande, the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles (HCI). The officers and crew also interacted with senior government functionaries and officials from the Indian High Commission onboard the ship. These discussions contributed to strengthening camaraderie, bilateral ties and promoting cooperation in the maritime domain.

As part of cultural outreach, a yoga session, in line with the International Day of Yoga 2025 theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, was conducted onboard on 28 Jun 2025 with enthusiastic participation by the local populace, Indian diaspora and the ship’s crew.

Towards fostering greater understanding of the Indian Navy’s role and capabilities, the ship was open to visitors at Port Victoria on 28 Jun 2025. About 200 visitors were provided a guided tour of the ship and the entire event garnered immense interest and appreciation for the Indian Navy’s efforts in promoting maritime security in the region.

A cultural evening was hosted onboard the ship on 28 Jul 25. Invitees included the CDF, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, the Minister for Agriculture, the Minister for Community Affairs, other functionaries from the Govt of Seychelles, the HCI, envoys of friendly foreign nations including France, Japan, USA, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, and members of the Indian diaspora. During his address the CDF highlighted the vibrant India-Seychelles defence partnership including support for capacity building through joint military exercises and regular port calls by Indian Naval ships. The programme facilitated a productive exchange of professional views, followed by a captivating performance by the Naval band, a vibrant dance performance by the ship’s crew and delectable Indian cuisine during dinner.

The highlight of the port call was participation of a marching contingent from the ship along with the famed Indian Naval Band in a parade to commemorate the 49th National Day of Seychelles on 29 June 2025. A flypast was also undertaken by the ship’s integral helicopter during the parade. The enthusiasm and standards of marching showcased by the contingent attracted appreciation from all quarters.

On completion of her port call on 30 Jun 2025, the ship embarked personnel from the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) for joint surveillance of Seychelles EEZ from 30 Jun -02 Jul 2025. This initiative reaffirms India’s commitment towards safety of the global commons and combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. The ship will proceed with the next phase of deployment post disembarking the SCG personnel.

This visit stands testament to the Indian Navy’s commitment to strengthen maritime security cooperation and bilateral relations between the two nations.

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AerospaceCOVER STORYSpace & Missiles

NISAR-Global Benchmark for Indo-US Scientific Collaboration

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Explore NISAR, a pivotal benchmark for Indo-US scientific collaboration, fostering innovation & research excellence for a sustainable future.

NEW DELHI, July 27: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that the 30th July “NISAR” launch from Sriharikota will upscale ISRO’s international collaborations.

Briefing the media, the Minister for Science and Technology disclosed that the much-anticipated launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite mission is scheduled for July 30, 2025, at 17:40 hrs from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. As the first joint Earth observation mission between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the event marks a defining moment in the journey of Indo-US space cooperation aa also in ISRO’s overall international collaborations, he said. The mission will be launched aboard India’s GSLV-F16 rocket.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, who has been monitoring the mission closely, said the launch reflects the maturing of strategic scientific partnerships and India’s emergence as a credible global player in advanced Earth observation systems. While expressing his wish to be physically present in Sriharikota to witness the historic event, the Minister acknowledged that the ongoing Parliament session may hold him back in Delhi.

“This mission is not just about a satellite launch—it is a moment that symbolises what two democracies committed to science and global welfare can achieve together. NISAR will not only serve India and the United States but will also provide critical data for countries around the world, especially in areas like disaster management, agriculture, and climate monitoring,” said Dr. Jitendra Singh.

Dr Jitendra Singh further noted that this mission lives up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of India becoming a ‘Vishwa Bandhu’—a global partner that contributes to the collective good of humanity.

The NISAR mission combines the technological expertise of both agencies. NASA has contributed the L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a high-rate telecommunication subsystem, GPS receivers, and a deployable 12-meter unfurlable antenna. ISRO, on its part, has provided the S-Band SAR payload, the spacecraft bus to accommodate both payloads, the GSLV-F16 launch vehicle, and all associated launch services. The satellite weighs 2,392 kg and will be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit, offering repeat imaging of the entire Earth’s land and ice surfaces every 12 days.

From an applications standpoint, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that NISAR’s capabilities extend well beyond traditional Earth observation. “It will allow continuous monitoring of ecosystem disturbances and help assess natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and landslides. It will track even subtle changes in the Earth’s crust and surface movement. Importantly, the satellite’s data will also be used for sea ice classification, ship detection, shoreline monitoring, storm tracking, crop mapping, and changes in soil moisture—all of which are vital for governments, researchers, and disaster management agencies,” he said.

A key feature of the mission is that all data generated by NISAR will be made freely accessible within one to two days of observation, and in near real-time in case of emergencies. This democratization of data is expected to support global scientific research and decision-making, especially for developing countries that may not have access to similar capabilities.

Notably, the NISAR mission is the first time a GSLV rocket is being used to place a satellite in sun-synchronous polar orbit, signalling ISRO’s growing technical sophistication in supporting diverse space missions. The dual radar payload aboard NISAR will employ SweepSAR technology for high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night imaging of the Earth’s surface with a wide swath of 242 kilometres.

Dr. Jitendra Singh also underlined the importance of Earth observation missions in the context of climate resilience and sustainable development. “Missions like NISAR are no longer confined to scientific curiosity—they are instrumental in planning, risk assessment, and policy intervention. As climate change impacts intensify, timely and accurate data from satellites like NISAR will be indispensable for governments to act proactively,” he said.

While the mission has seen a long gestation period of over a decade and a joint investment exceeding $1.5 billion, the payoff in terms of global utility and technological advancement is expected to be transformative. The launch of NISAR is being closely watched by space agencies, environmental researchers, and policymakers worldwide.

As the countdown to July 30 begins, Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated that India’s space programme under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi is steadily transitioning from traditional utility-based missions to those that position the country as a knowledge contributor to the global commons. “NISAR is not just a satellite; it is India’s scientific handshake with the world,” he said.

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