Mumbai: The Western Naval Command (WNC) has deployed two Indian naval ships, a submarine and two long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft on the Western Arabian Sea and southern Indian Ocean.
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Mumbai and submarine Shishumar entered Duqm on Wednesday as part of this deployment to the Western Arabian Sea, after conducting a series of exercises en route, said a Ministry of Defence spokesperson. This deployment comes after a long gap when a naval submarine is visiting a foreign port.
The naval units are on a month-long deployment with the aim of enhancing surveillance and cooperation with the Arabian Sea rim nations. Another ship, INS Kochi, which is also a part of this deployment, is proceeding to the Southern Indian Ocean with a similar aim.
The WNC, which exercises operational control of the naval units in this theatre, has been actively involved in enhancing three-dimensional surveillance efforts by Indian naval units for strengthening regional maritime security cooperation with littoral states.
The Indian Navy cooperates with both the navies of Oman as well as the UAE on many fronts, which include training, operational interactions and exchange of ‘White Shipping Information,’ (exchanging information about ships in their oceanic territories). The Indian Navy cooperates with the UAE’s navy through the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee and through the Joint Military Cooperation Committee with Oman.
In addition, the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman have been conducting the bilateral maritime exercise ‘Naseem Al Bahr’ since 1993. Ten editions have been held so far, the last being held off Goa in January 2016.
