Navy

Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri successfully concluded her participation in the Indian Navy – Republic of Korea Navy (IN–RoKN) Bilateral Exercise at Busan, Republic of Korea, on 29 Oct 2026. The engagement strengthened maritime cooperation and enhanced interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies.

The harbour phase facilitated meaningful engagement between personnel of the Indian Navy and the Republic of Korea Navy through professional discussions, cross-deck visits, operational briefings and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges. These interactions enabled the sharing of operational perspectives and best practices, while cultural exchanges and sporting engagements fostered camaraderie and strengthened interpersonal bonds.

The sea phase translated these professional interactions into practical operational engagements, with INS Sahyadri and ROKS Munmu the Great undertaking coordinated navigation, helo operations and joint maritime manoeuvres. The exercise provided an opportunity to practise coordination at sea, develop a better understanding of each other’s operating procedures and enhance interoperability between the two navies.

The successful completion of the exercise reflects the shared resolve of India and the Republic of Korea to deepen maritime cooperation through sustained engagement and collaboration. Such interactions contribute to mutual trust and support collective efforts towards maintaining peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.

The Indian Navy accorded a ceremonial welcome to INS Sudarshini on successful completion of Lokayan 26, a ten-month transoceanic sailing expedition, as the ship returned to Kochi on 02 Nov 2026. The homecoming was marked by a water cannon salute and a ceremonial welcome by the Naval Band, as proud family members gathered to receive the crew after their extraordinary voyage spanning over 22,000 nautical miles across the oceans.

The Flag-in Ceremony was presided over by VAdm Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command. Speaking on the occasion, FOC-in-C South commended the ship’s crew for their exemplary perseverance, professionalism, resilience and devotion to duty, which brought laurels to the nation and the Indian Navy. He highlighted that the successful completion of this rare feat reflects the Indian Navy’s high standards of sail training, seamanship and operational preparedness, while showcasing India’s maritime heritage and commitment to strengthening international maritime cooperation.

Lokayan 26 was flagged off from Kochi on 20 Jan 2026. The landmark voyage witnessed 17 distinct port calls in 11 countries, spanning Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. The deployment included two transatlantic crossings and extensive sailing passages through diverse maritime environments, providing invaluable exposure to the challenges of long-distance ocean sailing .

The major highlights of the deployment were the ship’s participation in the Escale à Sète maritime heritage festival in France and SAIL 250 and the International Naval Review as part of the commemorative events in the United States. Amid challenging weather and sea conditions, the transatlantic passage, covering 2,200 nautical miles over 19 days, marked the longest distance covered exclusively under sail. This achievement underscored the crew’s seamanship, endurance, coordinated teamwork and ability to navigate through demanding ocean conditions.

Lokayan 26 also provided an extensive platform for international maritime engagement. Professional interactions, training exchanges and cross-training activities with the Royal Moroccan Navy, Portuguese Navy, Italian Navy, Egyptian Navy and Spanish Navy were among the major highlights. These engagements furthered maritime cooperation and built bridges of friendship with the respective maritime forces and navies. Through various port calls, visits onboard the ship and interactions with the Indian diaspora, INS Sudarshini served as a prominent ambassador of India’s maritime heritage and goodwill. The deployment reflected India’s maritime vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and the civilisational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the world is one family.

Beyond its diplomatic outreach, the deployment remained focused on its core objective of sail training. The ship provided young officer trainees with hands-on experience in ocean navigation, watchkeeping, sail handling, rigging, meteorological assessment and shipboard operations.

The successful completion of Lokayan 26 marks a defining milestone in India’s maritime outreach and global engagement initiatives, reaffirming the Indian Navy’s continued commitment to professional training and excellence in ocean sailing.

Indian Naval Ship Trishul called at Souda Bay, Greece, on 31 Oct 2026, during her ongoing deployment to the Mediterranean Sea.

During the port call, the ship’s crew will participate in a range of activities to further maritime cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Hellenic Navy. These include interactions with senior functionaries of the Hellenic Navy and the Indian Embassy in Athens, professional discussions, cross-deck visits, cultural exchanges and familiarisation with facilities at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay and the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC).

 The crew will also pay homage at the Souda Bay War Cemetery. The ship will remain open to visitors during the port call.

The visit will further consolidate maritime cooperation and strengthen professional linkages between the Indian Navy and the Hellenic Navy.

Indian Naval Ship Trishul called at Souda Bay, Greece, on 31 Oct 2026, during her ongoing deployment to the Mediterranean Sea.

During the port call, the ship’s crew will participate in a range of activities to further maritime cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Hellenic Navy. These include interactions with senior functionaries of the Hellenic Navy and the Indian Embassy in Athens, professional discussions, cross-deck visits, cultural exchanges and familiarisation with facilities at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay and the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC).

 The crew will also pay homage at the Souda Bay War Cemetery. The ship will remain open to visitors during the port call.

The visit will further consolidate maritime cooperation and strengthen professional linkages between the Indian Navy and the Hellenic Navy.

The inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise, being conducted from 30 Oct to 03 Nov 2026, marks a significant milestone in advancing maritime cooperation among the member states of BIMSTEC. Bringing together Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, the exercise reinforces the shared commitment of member states towards regional security, stability and prosperity in the Bay of Bengal.

Building upon the outcomes of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit under the theme “BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient and Open”, the exercise provides a practical framework for enhancing maritime cooperation and operational linkages among participating nations. It reflects BIMSTEC’s collective resolve towards “Translating Vision to Action” by advancing cooperation in areas of mutual maritime interest and strengthening regional security mechanisms.

The Bay of Bengal remains a critical maritime space connecting South and South-East Asia and supporting trade, connectivity, energy security and economic growth. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, strengthen maritime domain awareness, improve coordination mechanisms and promote the exchange of Best Practices among BIMSTEC member states.

The exercise also highlights the strategic importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the role of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), India’s first integrated tri-service command. Its location astride critical sea lanes of communication and its capabilities in maritime surveillance, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, search and rescue, and regional engagement make it an important pillar of maritime security in the Bay of Bengal.

As BIMSTEC nations come together for this inaugural exercise, they reaffirm their commitment to a secure, open and inclusive maritime domain. The exercise embodies the spirit of “Shared Seas, Shared Security and Shared Prosperity” and demonstrates regional solidarity in pursuit of peace, stability and sustainable development.

New Delhi: Indian Naval Ship Tarkash arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius, on 30 Oct 2026, as part of her ongoing operational deployment to the Southern Indian Ocean Region. The port call reflects the close maritime partnership between India and Mauritius and provides an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral naval cooperation through professional interactions, joint activities and cultural exchanges.

During the port call, the ship’s crew will undertake a series of engagements with personnel of the Mauritius Coast Guard, including joint training activities aimed at sharing operational experiences and Best Practices, enhancing interoperability and strengthening coordination between the two maritime forces. Cultural exchanges and community outreach activities will also form part of the visit, providing opportunities for interaction between the personnel of the two countries and fostering closer people-to-people ties.

INS Tarkash will also participate in events commemorating the 192nd Aapravasi Diwas of Mauritius on 02 Nov 2026. The annual observance commemorates the arrival of the first batch of indentured labourers from India at Aapravasi Ghat, Port Louis, on 02 Nov 1834. The day honours the historical legacy, sacrifices and contributions of these labourers, whose descendants now constitute a significant part of the Mauritian population and have contributed to the island nation’s cultural and economic development. The participation of INS Tarkash in the commemorative events underscores the deep-rooted historical and cultural connections between the two countries.

The port call is an important manifestation of India’s enduring partnership with Mauritius, underpinned by shared historical links, cultural affinity and mutual trust. It also highlights the Indian Navy’s continued engagement with friendly maritime nations in the Indian Ocean Region, contributing to maritime cooperation, regional security and stability. Through such deployments and engagements, the Indian Navy continues to strengthen maritime partnerships and advance the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).

Ships of the First Training Squadron (1TS) of the Indian Navy, comprising INS Tir, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi, departed Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 29 Oct 2026, marking the conclusion of a successful port call. The visit featured bilateral engagements between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), reinforcing defence cooperation and the maritime partnership between the two nations.

During the port call, the Senior Officer, 1TS, accompanied by the Commanding Officers of the ships, called on the Commander, Western Naval Area, Sri Lanka Navy. The interaction reaffirmed the close bilateral ties and the shared commitment of both navies to enhancing maritime cooperation.

As part of the professional engagements, sea trainees of 1TS visited the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA), Trincomalee, and interacted with their Sri Lankan counterparts. In a reciprocal engagement, SLN cadets from NMA visited the 1TS ships and gained insights into the squadron’s training facilities and activities. These interactions provided opportunities for the exchange of experiences and fostered professional camaraderie among the trainees of both navies.

As part of its community outreach initiatives, Indian Navy personnel participated in a beach clean-up activity, promoting environmental sustainability. The ships were also opened to visitors, including members of the local community and the Indian diaspora, providing an opportunity to interact with the crew and gain an insight into the Indian Navy’s training and operational activities.

On departure from Colombo, the ships of 1TS undertook a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with SLNS Nandimithra. The exercise facilitated coordinated maritime manoeuvres and enhanced operational coordination and interoperability between the two maritime forces.

The visit underscored the enduring maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka and reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional maritime cooperation and capacity building, in line with the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).