Exercise KOMODO-16 and International Fleet Review at Padang, Indonesia

Exercise KOMODO 16 and International Fleet Review at Padang, Indonesia

INS Sumedha at Anchorage off Padang Harbour

In consonance with India’s ‘Act East Policy’, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sumedha arrived Padang, Indonesia on 10 Apr 16 to participate in the International Fleet Review and the second edition of the Multilateral Naval Exercise KOMODO (MNEK). This exercise will also witness the maiden participation of Indian Navy’s Maritime Patrol Aircraft, the P8I. As part of MNEK, the Indian Navy would interact with other participating navies in harbour, as also participate in various exercises at sea. The Indian Navy had also participated in the inaugural edition of MNEK in 2014.

Interaction with DA Jakarta and Indonesian Navy Officers
 
India and Indonesia have deep historic linkages and share a common heritage. In the recent past, Indonesia has emerged as the second largest trading partner of India in the ASEAN region with bilateral trade showing an upward trend with each passing year. The ‘Festival of India’, which was inaugurated in Indonesia on 26 Jan 15 with the slogan ‘Sahabat India’ meaning ‘trustful, loyal, true friend’ is another indicator of the deep friendship and trust between the two nations. India and Indonesia also share a close defence relationship, especially after the conclusion of the Agreement signed between the Governments of both nations on ‘Cooperative Activities in the Field of Defence’ in 2001. As part of growing maritime interaction, India and Indonesia have regular cross attachment of naval officers, training exercises and bilateral visits. The Indonesian Navy participated in the International Fleet Review 2016, hosted by the Indian Navy in February this year, at Visakhapatnam on the East Coast of India.

Both navies have a mutual interest in promoting peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean and this is a natural progression of our Navy-to-Navy relationship, given our shared maritime security interests. Exercise KOMODO is aimed at enhancing mutual understanding on maritime security and involves boarding operations as well as establishment of medical camps ashore. The participation of INS Sumedha and Maritime Patrol Aircraft aims to bolster bilateral ties and enhance maritime inter-operability in particular between the two navies.

INS Sumedha, commanded by Commander Pramod G Thomas, is an indigenously designed and built ‘New Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel’ inducted into the Indian Navy on 07 Mar 14. The ship has a potent weapon and EW suite, and can perform multiple roles in fleet operations. An integral helicopter significantly enhances the capability of the ship.

During her stay in harbour, the ship will participate in the International Fleet Review (IFR) being conducted by the Indonesian Navy. The IN’s P8I aircraft will also undertake a flypast as part of the IFR. In addition, various activities such as official calls on local naval and civilian dignitaries, reception on board INS Sumedha, visits to the ship by the local populace and professional interaction between personnel of both the navies are also planned.

The participation of INS Sumedha and P8I aircraft in Ex KOMODO-16 and IFR is another milestone towards further strengthening the strong bilateral ties and extensive maritime interaction between India and Indonesia.

CPX and Tactical Phase of MPKO and HADR operations

Felicitation post Beach Soccer

Group photograph of all participants   

Formation of Units