The Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman successfully concluded their bilateral naval exercise, "Naseem-Al-Bahr", off the coast of Goa. Held from 13 to 18 October 2024, the exercise involved the participation of the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Trikand and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, along with the Royal Navy of Oman vessel RNOV Al Seeb.
The exercise was conducted in two phases: a harbour phase from 13 to 15 October and a sea phase from 16 to 18 October. During the harbour phase, naval personnel from both countries engaged in professional exchanges, including Subject Matter Expert (SME) discussions and planning sessions. The phase also featured sports events and social engagements, fostering camaraderie and mutual respect.
The sea phase included a series of complex naval operations aimed at enhancing interoperability and honing maritime skills. The ships undertook various drills, including gun firings at surface inflatable targets, close-range anti-aircraft firings, maneuvers, and Replenishment at Sea Approaches (RASAPS). INS Trikand's integral helicopter executed cross-deck landings and vertical replenishment (VERTREP) with RNOV Al Seeb. Additionally, the Indian Navy's Dornier aircraft provided Over-the-Horizon Targeting (OTHT) data for participating vessels. In a significant move to deepen collaboration, Indian Navy sea riders embarked on RNOV Al Seeb for a day, further boosting cooperation and joint learning.
The exercise was lauded as a major success, achieving its objectives of fostering mutual understanding, improving operational synergy, and exchanging best practices between the two navies. It also reaffirmed India's commitment to maintaining strong maritime partnerships with like-minded nations in the Indian Ocean Region.
"Naseem-Al-Bahr", which translates to "Sea Breeze," has been a vital part of Indo-Oman naval collaboration since 1993, reinforcing ties between the two countries and contributing to peace and security in the region. (PR)