The Indian Navy led the naval exercise “Cutlass Express” – 24 with INS Tir, held at Port Victoria, Seychelles. INS Tir is the lead ship of the First Training Squadron (1TS). The President of Seychelles inaugurated the naval exercises in the presence of dignitaries from India, the USA, and African countries. The Indian Navy actively engaged with participants from 16 friendly foreign countries, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
The training lncluded theoretical and practical aspects of Maritime Interdiction Operations, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) procedures and Diving operations. During the sea phase, the ship’s VBSS team boarded the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) ship LE Vigilant and demonstrated the procedures of boarding operations.
Indian divers along with US and Seychelles divers undertook joint diving operations post a rigorous week of training, said the Ministry of Defence. The ship hosted R Adm Calvin M Foster, Deputy Commander of US Navy 6th Fleet, who shared his views on the importance of maritime cooperation and shared commitment in the region, appreciating the crucial role played by the Indian Navy.
Before the naval exercise, INS Tir undertook a joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance with the Seychelles Coast Guard from 1 to 3rd March. The naval collaboration was part of a long-range training deployment wherein the participants engaged in professional exchanges, cross-deck visits and friendly sporting events to enhance operational and capacity-building efforts with the Seychelles Defence Forces, said the Ministry.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Defence, the extant deployment of INS Tir at Seychelles and participation in exercise Cutlass Express underscores close ties between the Indian Navy and the regional Navies towards joint training fostering interoperability and building bridges of friendship.
The Cutlass Express is a multinational maritime exercise sponsored by the US African Command and conducted by joint US, Europe-African collaboration. It’s aimed at strengthening maritime security and cooperation at the East African Coast and West Indian Ocean region.
The naval exercise was held from 26th February to 8th March 2024 and culminated with a closing ceremony at the Seychelles Defence Academy. The Indian Navy has been participating in the exercise since 2019.
Team Bharatshakti
