Latest news with #IndianNavy


The Hindu
an hour ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Keel laying of eighth anti-submarine warfare ship held
The keel laying of the eighth anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ship being built for the Indian Navy was held at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) by Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition, on May 29, 2025. Among those present were Madhu S. Nair, Chairman and Managing Director, CSL, and Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi, Assistant Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition. The contract for building eight ASW ships was signed between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and CSL on 30 April 2019. The Mahe class of ships will replace the in-service Abhay class ASW corvettes of the Indian Navy and are designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, low-intensity maritime operations, mine-laying operations, and subsurface surveillance. The vessels are capable of a maximum speed of 25 knots and have an endurance of 1,800 nautical miles. They are fitted with indigenously developed, state-of-the-art sonars for underwater surveillance. This exemplifies India's capability to manufacture high-end, technology-intensive warships with a high indigenous content under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.


India Gazette
an hour ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Spanish and Italian Navy ships engage in tactical exercises with Indian Navy in Mumbai
New Delhi [India], June 1 (ANI): ESPS Reina Sofia, commanded by Cdr Salvador Moreno Regil, Spanish Navy and ITS Antonio Marceglia, commanded by Cdr Alberto Bartolomeo, Italian Navy, are in Mumbai from 26 May to 1 June 2025 for an operational turnaround. Both ships currently operate under the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR). It is the first such visit to India conducted under the aegis of the European Union. It is a follow-up to the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union, highlighting their shared commitment towards international peace and security. The EUNAVFOR side, led by Rear Admiral Davide Da Pozzo, Force Commander, Op Atalanta, interacted with Rear Admiral Vidyadhar Harke VSM, Chief Staff Officer (Operations), Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy at the Headquarters, Western Naval Command and discussed matters related to furthering maritime cooperation between the two sides. Both sides agreed on the need for extended cooperation in the military domain, and the meeting was a stepping stone for expanding avenues of cooperation between the Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR. During the ships' stay in harbour, activities such as Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) and a Table Top Exercise (TTX) were conducted between the two sides, aimed at refining key issues necessary for tactical-level cooperation at sea. Both sides benefitted immensely from the exchanges on experiences gained during Anti-Piracy and Anti-Smuggling operations. The harbour engagements laid the foundation for the Joint Exercise between the Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR which is planned post-departure of the ships from Mumbai on 1 June. The exercise at sea will see participation by ESPS Reina Sofia and ITS Antonio Marceglia from EUNAVFOR and ships and aircraft from the Indian Navy. The complex tactical exercises are aimed at enhancing the interoperability between the two sides and will enable seamless operations when deployed for combating non-traditional threats in the Indian Ocean Region. Both India and the EU share a strong commitment towards a rules-based maritime order, allowing for free and open use of international waters while respecting the territorial integrity of littoral states. The current visit embodies the shared interest of safeguarding legitimate trade and countering non-traditional threats such as piracy, smuggling, and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, which also reflects the discussions undertaken during the 4th India-EU Maritime Security Dialogue, held in New Delhi in March 2025. These maritime engagements would further strengthen the increasing multi-domain cooperation between India and EU, with a common aim of progressing shared interests. (ANI)


The Hindu
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
India, European Union Naval Force plan joint naval exercise
The Indian Navy and the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) will hold a joint exercise at sea soon. The exercise will see the participation of ESPS Reina Sofia and ITS Antonio Marceglia from EUNAVFOR, as well as ships and aircraft from the Indian Navy. The complex tactical exercises are aimed at enhancing the interoperability between the two sides and enabling seamless operations when deployed for combating non-traditional threats such as piracy and smuggling in the Indian Ocean Region, according to a release. In the run-up to the exercise, ESPS Reina Sofia, commanded by Commander Salvador Moreno Regil of the Spanish Navy, and ITS Antonio Marceglia, commanded by Cdr Alberto Bartolomeo of the Italian Navy, were in Mumbai from May 26 to June 1 on a short port visit. Both ships presently operate under EUNAVFOR. 'The visit is significant as it is their first such visit to India under the aegis of the European Union,' the release said. Shared goal The development was a follow-up to the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Union President Ursula von der Leyen, highlighting their shared commitment towards international peace and security. The EUNAVFOR side led by Rear Admiral Davide Da Pozzo, Force Commander, Op Atalanta, interacted with Rear Admiral Vidyadhar Harke, Chief Staff Officer (Operations), Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy, at the Western Naval Command headquarters, and held discussions on furthering maritime cooperation between the two sides. Boosting cooperation Both the naval forces also took part in some harbour engagements. 'Both sides agreed on the need for extended cooperation in the military domain, and the meeting was a stepping stone for expanding avenues of cooperation between the Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR. During the ships' stay in harbour, activities such as subject matter expert exchanges and a table-top exercise were conducted between the two sides, aimed at refining key issues necessary for tactical-level cooperation at sea,' it said. 'Both India and EU share a strong commitment towards rules-based maritime order, allowing for free and open use of international waters while respecting the territorial integrity of littoral states,' said the release. The current visit embodies the shared interest of safeguarding legitimate trade and countering non-traditional threats such as piracy and unregulated fishing. It is also in line with the discussions undertaken during the 4th India-EU Maritime Security Dialogue, held in Delhi in March 2025. 'These maritime engagements will further strengthen the multi-domain cooperation between India and the EU,' it said.


Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Southern Command troops hold exercise in Sir Creek sector for operational readiness
Pune: Troops of the Southern Command, along with the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard, recently conducted an exercise in the sensitive Sir Creek sector of Kutch in Gujarat to strengthen their operational readiness in the region. The multi-day exercise was crucial against the backdrop of the recent Operation Sindoor , in which units deployed in the region destroyed multiple Pakistani drones. The Southern Command is responsible for the security of the creek, which is a 96-km-long tidal estuary. It separates the Kutch region of Gujarat and the Sindh province of Pakistan. The Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard have elements deployed in the region to oversee the sea parts and vast marshy areas. Operating in this area requires both ground forces and naval deployment. So, it is essential for them to work in tandem to achieve operational requirements. "During the exercise, troops conducted battlefield drills and also displayed their naval power. A team of divers also showed their exceptional capabilities to perform duties underwater in the region," a source told TOI. An official X handle of the Southern Command states, "#Baldeaglebrigade conducted a multiagency #exercise to rehearse battlefield drills in the Creek sector of #Kutch. All stakeholders displayed excellent #Synergy while executing integrated #Training, thereby strengthening operational readiness." The boats of various classes and speed boats carrying armed personnel participated in the exercise to display their power and synergy, said the source. "The troops of Indian Army also used an all-terrain specialised vehicle in deep water to carry out the amphibious drill. Divers showed their stealth by diving deep into the water. Personnel of the infantry battalion also performed operational drills in marshy terrain," added the source. The units that neutralised enemy drones during Operation Sindoor also used various drones for tactical use during the exercise, depicting a wartime scenario, added the officials. Meanwhile, Lt Gen Prit Pal Singh, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of XXI Corps of the Command, reviewed the operational preparedness and combat readiness of the troops. "The GOC also observed advanced drone training and appreciated the innovative tactics and integration of new technologies aimed at enhancing the formation's combat effectiveness," said an official from the Command.


United News of India
a day ago
- General
- United News of India
186 Cadets take 'Antim pag' (Final step) during Passing Out Parade at Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala
Kannur, May 31 (UNI) The Passing Out Parade (POP) of Spring Term 2025 was held at the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, on Saturday that saw 186 trainees, including cadets from four friendly foreign countries, graduate with flying colours. Southern Naval Command Vice Admiral V Srinivas reviewed the Passing Out Parade (POP) of Spring Term 2025. The 186 trainees at the POP comprised Midshipmen of the 107th and 108th Indian Naval Academy Course, 38th Naval Orientation Course (Extended) and cadets of 39th Naval Orientation Course (Extended), 40th Naval Orientation Course (Regular) and 41st Naval Orientation Course (Coast Guard). The POP marked the culmination of their ab-initio training. The cadets took the "Antim Pag" (final step) into commissioned service into the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard. The President's Gold Medal for standing first in the Indian Naval Academy (INA) B. Tech Course was awarded to Midshipman Nakul Saxena. Rajya Raksha Mantri Trophy for the Most Promising Cadet was awarded to Midshipman Kiondo Michael Florence, a trainee from Tanzania. This significant achievement by a foreign cadet stands testament to the inclusive and world-class training environment at the Indian Naval Academy. Midshipman Nithin S Nair was awarded the FOC-in-C (South) Trophy for standing first in the order of merit among ex NDA trainees, while the CNS Gold Medal for best in Naval Orientation Course (Extended) and for the Naval Orientation Course (Regular) were awarded to Cadet Pawar Rohit Prakash and Cadet Rajnish Singh respectively. The Director General Coast Guard trophy was awarded to Cadet Kommu David. The Commandant's Champion Squadron Banner was awarded to Cheetah Squadron for displaying excellence across a wide spectrum of training activities including academic, service subjects, outdoor training, drill, sports, and extracurricular activities throughout the term. The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOCINC), South Srinivas complimented the trainees on the parade for their impeccable turnout, good military bearing and smart drill. He congratulated the passing out trainees, medal winners and the Champion Squadron for their hard work and outstanding performance. The Reviewing Officer acknowledged the efforts of training faculty and the support provided by parents. He highlighted the importance of integrating foreign trainees, which not only strengthens international cooperation but also showcases India's Naval training excellence on the global stage. The event was attended by Vice Admiral CR Praveen Nair, AVSM, NM, Commandant, INA, other senior officers and distinguished guests. On completion of the parade, FOCINC South, Commandant, INA and other dignitaries shipped the stripes of passing out trainees. They interacted with the proud families who had gathered to witness the successful culmination of the rigorous training. These officers will now proceed to various Naval training establishments and ships of the Indian Navy, to consolidate their training in specialised fields. UNI AK RN