New Delhi, Mar 11:
INS Tir, the lead ship of First Training Squadron (1TS), participated in Exercise Cutlass Express 24 at Port Victoria, Seychelles, where the Indian Navy actively engaged with participants from 16 friendly foreign countries.
The exercise, which commenced on February 26 and concluded on March 8, was inaugurated by the President of the Seychelles, an Indian Navy statement said.
The training was conducted on theoretical and practical aspects of maritime interdiction operations, visit board search and seizure procedures, and diving operations.
During the sea phase, the ship’s VBSS team boarded Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) ship LE Vigilant and demonstrated procedures for boarding operations. Indian divers, along with US and Seychelles divers, undertook joint diving operations after a rigorous training week.
The ship hosted R. Adm. Calvin M. Foster, Deputy Commander of the 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.
The exercise culminated at a closing ceremony held at the Seychelles Defense Academy, Ile Perseverance, on Friday. The Indian Navy has been participating in the exercise since 2019.
Earlier, INS Tir undertook joint EEZ surveillance with the Seychelles Coast Guard from March 1 to March 3.
The extant deployment of INS Tir at the Seychelles and participation in Exercise Cutlass Express underscore close ties between the Indian Navy and the regional Navies towards joint training fostering interoperability and building bridges of friendship.
