![](https://bharatshakti.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LT-BSI-Defence.gif")
India’s maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region gets a boost this month with Indonesia and Germany posting their first International Liaison Officers (ILOs) to the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram, strengthening the multinational network for maritime domain awareness.
The back-to-back deployments underscore the growing international confidence in the IFC-IOR, the Indian Navy’s premier maritime information-sharing hub that coordinates real-time surveillance and security cooperation across the Indian Ocean.
On July 9, the IFC-IOR announced the induction of Commander Oliver Vanek as its 17th International Liaison Officer and the first representative from Germany.
“Germany’s induction adds the perspective of a key European maritime partner and strengthens IFC-IOR’s collaborative framework for information sharing, maritime domain awareness (MDA) and maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region,” the Centre said in a post on X.
Cdr Oliver Vanek joined #IFCIOR today as its 17th International Liaison Officer and the first #ILO from Germany🇩🇪, in the presence of Col Klaus Willi Merkel, Defence Attaché of Germany to India.
Germany’s induction adds the perspective of a key European maritime partner and… pic.twitter.com/z8hiIzcnb5
— IFC-IOR (@IFC_IOR) July 9, 2026
The development came just over a week after Indonesia stationed its first liaison officer at the Centre ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jakarta.
On July 1, the IFC-IOR announced the induction of Lieutenant Commander Felix Dimas Satirawan as Indonesia’s first International Liaison Officer.
“Lt Cdr Felix Dimas Satirawan joins the Centre as the first Indonesian ILO, marking another important milestone in IFC-IOR’s expanding international liaison framework,” the Centre said.
First International Liaison Officer #ILO representing Indonesia🇮🇩 inducted at #IFCIOR today.
Lt Cdr Felix Dimas Satirawan joins the Centre as the first Indonesian ILO, marking another important milestone in IFC-IOR’s expanding international liaison framework. ⚓
The induction… pic.twitter.com/sCl7LRx2OJ
— IFC-IOR (@IFC_IOR) July 1, 2026
The deployment also found mention in the India-Indonesia Joint Statement issued during Prime Minister Modi’s visit.
“Both leaders welcomed the positioning of an International Liaison Officer (ILO) from Indonesia at Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), Gurugram. They agreed to continue discussions to identify mutually beneficial areas of cooperation in maritime security,” the joint statement said.
The addition of Indonesia and Germany further expands the operational footprint of the IFC-IOR, which now hosts liaison officers from 17 partner nations, including Australia, France, Italy, Japan, Kenya, the Maldives, Mauritius, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
While the IFC-IOR is connected with 28 partner countries through information-sharing arrangements, the deployment of resident liaison officers represents a higher level of operational integration. Working alongside Indian Navy personnel at the Gurugram facility, they facilitate real-time exchange of information, improve coordination during maritime incidents and strengthen collective maritime domain awareness.
Established by the Indian Navy in December 2018, the IFC-IOR has emerged as a key regional maritime security hub for one of the world’s busiest and most strategically significant sea lanes. The Centre integrates real-time shipping information from multinational coastal radar chains, satellite feeds and partner agencies to generate a comprehensive maritime picture across the Indian Ocean.
It plays a central role in tracking commercial shipping, identifying suspicious maritime activity and coordinating responses to piracy, smuggling, human trafficking, illegal fishing, contraband movement and maritime emergencies, while sharing actionable information with partner countries and international agencies.
Ravi Shankar
Dr Ravi Shankar has over two decades of experience in communications, print journalism, electronic media, documentary film making and new media.
He makes regular appearances on national television news channels as a commentator and analyst on current and political affairs. Apart from being an acknowledged Journalist, he has been a passionate newsroom manager bringing a wide range of journalistic experience from past associations with India’s leading media conglomerates (Times of India group and India Today group) and had led global news-gathering operations at world’s biggest multimedia news agency- ANI-Reuters. He has covered Parliament extensively over the past several years. Widely traveled, he has covered several summits as part of media delegation accompanying the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Finance Minister across Asia, Africa and Europe.
