Indian Navy gears up for a major exercise in the Arabian Sea

In an endeavour to test its operational preparedness and experiment with new strategies of naval operations, the Indian Navy is preparing for an exercise in the Arabian Sea in which assets of the Mumbai-based Western Naval Command would be employed. In a statement issued on Sunday, a Naval spokesperson said, “With the withdrawal of the monsoon and improved sea conditions, this is the right time to test our operational preparedness, validate procedures and try out new strategies and concepts of naval operations.”

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'It is customary for the Navy to gear up for exercises'

Live firing drills, helicopter operations from ships, operational logistics and communication standard operating procedures (SOP) are some of the areas that will form the core of these planned exercises in order to hone the operational skills, testing of training efficacy and validate existing seamanship practices and procedures. The spokesperson further said, "It is customary for the Navy to gear up for exercises and deployments immediately following the monsoon season, taking advantage of improved conditions at sea. This is the ideal time to fine-tune our deployment concepts, test communication plans, exercise contingencies at sea and validate our inputs towards better maritime domain awareness.”

The Indian Navy has been a key presence in the Arabian Sea following its prolonged anti-piracy deployments in the Gulf of Aden and Op Sankalp off the Gulf of Oman. The Western Naval Command also recently concluded an offshore security and contingency exercise code-named 'Prasthan' on Thursday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had also embarked the Western Fleet last month and the Navy had exercised carrier-based evolutions and fighter operations during the event.

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Singh hails Navy officers as 'brave warriors'

Applauding the skills and efficiency of the Indian Navy, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier said, "Witnessing the prowess and firepower of the Western Fleet first hand, I am reassured that the security of our nation is in safe hands and that the Indian Navy is always ready to defend the country against all threats. It is a matter of great pride for me that I got the opportunity to interact with the personnel of the Indian Navy’s Sword Arm, the Western Fleet. I am most impressed to see the professionalism, commitment, and spirited approach shown by the brave warriors of the Indian Navy."

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(INPUTS FROM ANI)