INS Sahyadri takes part in Japan-India maritime exercise

• Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri participated in the sea phase of Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JAIMEX-25) from October 16 to 18 and made a port call at Yokosuka for the harbour phase.

• The port call also serves as a key engagement during the ship’s ongoing Long Range Deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.

• The ‘Strategic Partnership’ between India and Japan has been very robust for a long time with significant focus on defence and maritime cooperation.

• The Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) have been at the forefront of this growing partnership with a shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

• JMSDF is the maritime warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

• Commissioned in 2012, INS Sahyadri is an indigenously built Shivalik-class guided missile stealth frigate. The multi-role stealth frigate has participated in various operational deployments, bilateral and multilateral exercises.

• JAIMEX-25 underscores the strong and burgeoning navy-to-navy interactions between both countries. 

• This partnership is a crucial pillar for ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain.

• JMSDF ships Asahi, Oumi and submarine Jinryu participated in the sea phase of JAIMEX-25. 

• The sea phase included advanced anti-submarine warfare and missile defence drills, enhancing interoperability by undertaking flying operations and underway replenishment. 

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)