New Delhi: INS Tarkash on her long range overseas deployment, conducted a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with French Naval Ships in the North Atlantic Ocean on July 29-30, 2022 which showcased interoperability between the two navies. The focus of the drill was on replenishment at sea between Tarkash and the French Fleet Tanker FS Somme. Maritime surveillance aircraft Falcon 50 participated in joint air operations in air defence drills and multiple simulated missile engagements. The successful conduct of these surface and aerial exercises symbolises the high degree of professionalism and interoperability that exists between the two navies.
The Indian Navy’s guided missile frigate, INS Tarkash completed her Mediterranean deployment as it participated in a Maritime Partnership Exercise in the Atlantic with Royal Morocco Naval Ship Hassan 2, a Floreal Class Corvette on July 26, 2022 and entered the Atlantic to continue with her log-range voyage. During her Mediterranean deployment, both Indian and Moroccan navies participated in drills that included tactical manoeuvres, helicopter cross deck landings, man overboard drills, Visit Board Search and Seizure operations, and approaches for replenishment at sea.
INS Tarkash is on her passage to South America to visit Rio Di Janeiro, Brazil to hoist the National Flag on August 15, 2022, as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav — celebrating 75 years of India’s Independence.
At the recently concluded BRICS summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had highlighted among the leaders of the member nations – Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, the need to respect the territorial integrity of all countries in the international waters. He said India focused on a free, inclusive and rules-based maritime space. Earlier, a Brazilian Navy delegation led by Vice Admiral Liberal Enio Zanelatto, Director of Industrial Production & Engineering, had visited India. The delegation visited the Western Naval Command and also Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited at Mumbai where the `Scorpene’ class submarines were built. They also visited a Kalvari (Scorpene) class submarine of the Indian Navy.
During the visit the two sides had discussed submarine technology, defence and security, Make in India initiatives, and also the outlook of the Indian Navy towards shared maritime interests with all like-minded navies/ countries. The Brazilian Navy operates `Scorpene’ class submarines and is keen to have a collaboration with India for the maintenance of the diesel-electric attack submarines.
Indian and Brazilian navies will be participating in the seventh edition of IBSAMAR in October which is a tri-nation exercise including India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA). They will be sending their frigates and other naval assets including a helicopter and a maritime patrol aircraft to South Africa. According to reports, Brazil is expected to send in a frigate and a team of marines, South Africa is expected to deploy one of its Valour Class frigates and two Maritime Reaction Squadron (MRS) boarding teams for the exercise. From India, a frigate, P-8I maritime patrol aircraft as well as a helicopter will be deployed.
In the first ever meeting of IBSA NSAs meeting held last year, Maritime security was identified as an important area of future cooperation among the member countries. The meeting had focused on efforts to strengthen mechanisms to counter China’s belligerence in the maritime domain. And to ensure security of sea lines of communication and energy and sustainable exploitation of marine resources, including fishing, combating human trafficking and narcotics.
