In a first, Indian Navy & EU naval force conducts joint exercise in Gulf of Aden

New Delhi, June 19: For the first time, the Indian Navy and the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) have come together to conduct a complex naval joint exercise at sea in the Gulf of Aden. A total of five warships from four navies are participating in the exercise on 18th and 19th June 2021.

 

 

From Indian side, INS Trikand Guided Missile Frigate, has been deployed for Anti-Piracy Operations while other warships include Italian Navy Ship ITS Carabinere, Spanish Navy Ship ESPS Navarra, and two French Navy Ship FS Tonnerre and FS Surcouf.

 

 

"The two day exercise will see high tempo-naval operations at sea, including advanced air defence and anti-submarine exercises, cross deck helicopter operations, tactical manoeuvres, boarding operations, underway replenishment, Search & Rescue, Man Overboard drills, and other maritime security operations," the Indian Navy said in a statement.

 

 

It added, "Ships of the four navies will endeavour to enhance and hone their war-fighting skills and their ability as an integrated force to promote, peace, security and stability in the maritime domain." A virtual "Information sharing Exercise" is also being conducted between the Indian Navy Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region and Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa.

 

EUNAVFOR was formed in 2008 to establish the executive EU military maritime operation for Somalia – Op ATLANTA to counter acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali Coast. Indian Naval ships have continued to be deployed for Anti-Piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia since 2008.

 

 

EUNAVFOR and the Indian Navy converge on multiple issues including counter piracy operations and protection of vessels deployed under the charter of World Food Programme (UN WFP). They also have regular interaction through SHADE (Shared Awareness and Deconfliction) meetings held annually at Bahrain.

.

.

.