Indian Navy’s maiden initiative of Indian Ocean Ship Sagar (IOS Sagar) featuring a combined crew of Indian sailors and 44 personnel from nine partner countries aboard INS Sunayna completed their harbour and sea training phase at Southern Naval Command in Kochi. IOS Sagar with her crew has left for Karwar, the Indian Navy said on Thursday. These trainees underwent a specially curated training capsule ranging from basic seamanship activities to state-of-the-art simulator training.
Signifying the motto of ‘One Ocean, One Mission,’ the international crew was trained together on various facets of communication skills, firefighting and damage control drills, visit board search and seize (VBSS) procedures, and the finer aspects of a Bridgeman ship. Simulator-based practical training was imparted to equip the crew with the dynamic challenges of the maritime domain. The training interactions also facilitated a forum for exchange of best training practices and procedures.
“Over the past decades, Indian Navy’s maritime training institutions have trained over 20,000 officers and sailors from over 50 FFC ranging from ab initio training to trade specific professional courses enhancing maritime expertise and capability,” the statement reads.
In addition, the Indian Naval Work Up team exposed the international crew to sea training along with the Indian Navy crew of INS Sunayna.
“The sea training was aimed at acclimatising the international crew with Indian Navy’s systems and procedures enabling them to operate as a well-knit and cohesive unit during the forthcoming deployment,” the Indian Navy said.
IOS Sagar is a unique example of fostering deeper maritime understanding and promoting regional stability and cooperation. Indian Navy’s collaboration with the regional Navies reaffirm commitment to safeguarding collective maritime interests and capacity building with partner nations across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The Indian Navy has announced two major initiatives to enhance defence cooperation with friendly nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). As part of its ongoing military outreach, the Navy will conduct a maritime exercise, “AIKEYME” (Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement), with ten African nations this month.
Under the IOS Sagar initiative, INS Sunayna undertook a deployment to the southwest IOR with a multinational crew from Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.
Personnel from partner nations will undergo a two-week training program at various naval professional schools in Kochi, including sea-based training. These initiatives further strengthen India’s maritime partnerships and commitment to regional security, reinforcing its strategic presence in the IOR.
Team BharatShakti
