Two Japanese Maritime Self – Defence Force Ships JDS (Japanese Defence Ship) Uraga- a minelayer and JDS Hachijyo -a mine hunter, departed Kochi after a two day stop over at Kochi.
The ships which entered Kochi on the 20th have returned after participating in a major minesweeping exercise off the coast of Bahrain in which 33 nations had participated. Captain Yasuhiro Kawakami was embarked on board as the Senior Officer.
Captain Kawakami accompanied by the Japanese Defence Attache Colonel Nobutaka Mikasa and the Commanding Officers of the visiting ships called on Rear Admiral G Ashok Kumar , Chief of Staff of Southern Naval Command earlier on 22 Oct 2012. The ships had participated in some basic maneuvers off Kochi with INS Sharda and INS Kalpeni.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff,October 25, 2012; Image: Indian Navy