India’s Eastern Fleet ships on overseas deployment

A Task Force of Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet is set to proceed on an overseas deployment to South East Asia, the South China Sea and Western Pacific.

The deployment seeks to underscore the operational reach, peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly countries towards ensuring good order in the maritime domain and to strengthen existing bonds between India and countries of the Indo Pacific, the Navy stated.

The ships will be deployed from early August for a period of over two months.

The Indian Naval task group comprises guided-missile destroyer Ranvijay, guided-missile frigate Shivalik, anti-submarine corvette Kadmatt and guided-missile corvette Kora.

During the deployment, the ships are scheduled to participate in bilateral exercises with Vietnamese Peoples’ Navy, Republic of Philippines Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy (SIMBEX), Indonesian Navy (Samudra Shakti) and Royal Australian Navy (AUS-INDEX).

They will also participate in multilateral exercise MALABAR-21 alongside the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal Australian Navy and the U.S. Navy in Western Pacific.

According to the Indian Navy, such engagements build bridges of friendship and strengthen international cooperation, as well as enhance synergy and coordination with friendly countries, based on common maritime interests and commitment towards Freedom of Navigation at sea.