INS Satpura, INS Kadmatt Deployed to East and Southeast Asia as Part of ‘Act East Policy’

In Thailand, the ships will participate in the International Fleet Review hosted by the Association of South East Asian Countries (ASEAN).

New Delhi, September 8:  INS Satpura and INS Kadmatt on Friday were deployed to East and South-East Asia from Visakhapatnam port in Andhra Pradesh in accordance with India’s ‘Act East Policy’. In the three month expedition, both ships of Navy will travel to ports in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Brunei and Russia, reported news agency ANI.

In Thailand, the ships will participate in the International Fleet Review hosted by the Association of South East Asian Countries (ASEAN).  To commemorate the 25th anniversary of India-ASEAN dialogue, the naval ships will visit Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia and Brunei. Besides this, the vessels in Malaysia will participate in the exercise of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).

After touching the ports of Russia, the ships will participate in the annual India-Russia bilateral exercise INDRA. This year, for the first time, Ex-INDRA will witness the joint participation of Army, Navy and Air Force of both countries, thus, a major milestone in the bilateral relations between the two countries.

It has become a part of the Navy’s routine to deploy ships to friendly nations and this also underlines Delhi’s harmonious relations with the nations attached to ASEAN. Besides this, the purpose is to strengthen India’s relationship with the regional countries.

Interactions of Navy personnel will be held with local dignitaries along with conducting a naval exercise to sharpen interoperability.  India has struck the chords in the construction and warship designs.

INS Satpura and INS Kadmatt are both indigenously built warships. INS Satpura, synonymous with the formidable mountain range in Central India, is a multi-role stealth frigate and is commanded by Captain Rahul Shankar. INS Kadmatt, named after an island in the beautiful Lakshadweep chain, is an Anti-Submarine Corvette and is commanded by Commander Nithin Cariappa.

(With Inputs from PIB)