Southern Naval Command News

The ​​eighth edition of ‘Admirals Cup’ Sailing Regatta concluded on Thursday, 07 December 2017 at a glittering closing ceremony at Marakkar Watermanship Training Centre (MWTC) on the banks of the picturesque Kavvai backwaters at Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala tonight. Team United States of America (USA) represented by Midshipman Peter Hogan and Midshipman Brittney Slook lead by Lieutenant Sarah Bull won the Admiral's Cup with their consistent performance across all races. India represented by Cadet Praveen Prabhakar and Cadet Aviral Keshav lead by Lieutenant Ashutosh Sharma were the Runners-Up and Team Australia represented by Sub Lieutanant Alix Peruzzis and Midshipman Bryson Carew lead by Lieutenant Duncan McCowan came third.

Indian Navy's search and rescue operations continued for the third day over Southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands in the aftermath of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm 'OCKHI'. The ships deployed by the Southern Naval Command include IN Ships Sagardhwani, Jamuna, Nireekshak, Kabra and Kalpeni off the Kerala coast and Sharda , Shardul towards Lakshadweep islands. Besides this three air craft viz, Dornier fixed wing aircraft, Seaking Helicopter (SK) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) were also deployed throughout the day. A total of 84 personnel have been rescued over the last two days which includes 62 by aircrafts and 22 by ships. Additionally, transfer of two dead bodies was also effected through ALH to Thiruvananthapuram after being picked up by INS Sagardhwani.

In an initiative to bolster bilateral relations with friendly foreign countries and navies in the Indian ocean region, INS Sarvekshak, a hydrographic survey ship of Southern Naval Command, arrived at Dar-es-Salaam Tanzania on 15 November 2017 for undertaking joint  Hydrographic Survey along with the Tanzanian Navy. The joint survey will be conducted with the Naval personnel of Tanzania who have been trained in India in National Institute of Hydrography, Goa. During the survey, training of Tanzanian Naval personnel will also be undertaken on advanced hydrographic equipment and practices. The ship will visit Dar-es-Salaam harbour in Tanzania during her stay for refuelling and replenishing stores and provisions. Joint exercises with Tanzanian Navy are planned during the period of deployment.

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Ship Teruzuki visited Kochi from 09 to 11 September 2017. Captain Masashi Kondo, Commander Escort Division Six is sailing onboard JS Teruzuki, a destroyer which is being commanded by Commander Seiichi Hashimoto. Captain Masashi Kondo, Commander Escort Division Six accompanied by the Commanding Officer of Japanese Ship Teruzuki had called on Rear Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, VSM, the Chief Staff Officer (Training) of Southern Naval Command (SNC) on 09 September 2017 wherein professional subjects of common interest to both navies were discussed. On 10 September 2017, Atsushi Miura, Superintendent Japan Coast Guard…

Making her way north to commence duties as part of Operation MANITOU, HMAS Newcastle made a port visit to Cochin, India, further strengthening relationships recently made on exercise off Fremantle. As a continuation of Exercise AUSINDEX, the visit allowed for the strengthening of international relations between Australia and India, and gave the crew the opportunity to experience the wonderful culture India has to offer. There were many notable interactions between Newcastle and the Indian Navy which allowed each group to gain an appreciation for how the other operated. Several members of Newcastle’s crew joined the locals for a friendly match of volleyball. The energy in the room was high, with some two hundred spectators in attendance to cheer on their respective teams.

Royal Australia Navy (RAN) ship, HMAS Newcastle commanded by Commander MD Sirois is visiting Kochi, India from 04 - 07 Jul 17. On 04 Jul 17, the Commanding Officer of the visiting RAN Ship accompanied by Ms. Harinder Sidhu, High Commissioner of Australia and Captain Sheldon Williams, Defence Attache called on Vice Admiral AR Karve AVSM, Flag Officer Commanding- in- Chief Southern Naval Command (SNC) for interactions on issues of common interest to both navies. A friendly volleyball match between teams from SNC and the visiting ship was also played. During the ship’s stay in harbour, various activities such as guided tour for Indian Naval personnel onboard HMAS Newcastle…

INS Shardul, which was dispatched by Southern Naval Command of India Navy with relief material to Sri Lanka has arrived in Colombo. In the wake of recent floods in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan government has asked for flood relief assistance from India. According to ANI report, India dispatched three navy ships to help in the massive rescue and relief operations launched by the island nation's triforces. Earlier on Saturday, Indian High Commissioner to Colombo Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Sri Lankan Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake received the INS Kirch packed with relief items. Apart from the aforementioned two ships, INS Jalashwa carrying victualing, clothing, medicines and water is also expected to soon reach Sri Lanka. The relief material food, water and medicines was offloaded.

The final leg of "Coast to Coast" rally organized by Indian Navy as part of Social Outreach Programme was flagged off from Visakhapatnam on 28 March 2017 by Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain AVSM, VSM, Chief of Staff Eastern Naval Command. The outreach programme is an initiative of the Southern Naval Command organized as part of celebrations to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of INS Valsura. The team arrived Visakhapatnam Tuesday afternoon and interacted with school children to spread awareness about Indian Navy. The rally is now heading back to Jamnagar touching Hyderabad and Pune enroute. As a part of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of INS Valsura…

A 5-car rally team of Indian Navy’s Social Outreach Programme “Coast to Coast”, arrived at Indian Naval Academy on 21 March 2017. The rally is part of celebrations to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of INS Valsura. The team was formally received by Captain Sumeet Kapoor, NM, Training Captain (Coord), Indian Naval Academy. INS Valsura is a 75 year old establishment of the Indian Navy located at Jamnagar, Gujarat. The establishment is a premier training institute for the Electrical Engineers of the Indian Navy. The establishment boasts of a rich maritime heritage, dating back to pre-Independence India of 1942, when the British Navy set up a Torpedo School on 15 December 1942 and named it Val-Sura from the Tamil words Val – “Sword” and Surah – “Fish”.

A Myanmar Navy (MN) Delegation comprising three officers: Lt Cdr ThureinTun, Lt Cdr Kyaw Zeya Oo and Lt Ye WintTun, has completed a four-day official visit to Southern Naval Command (SNC) Kochi on 02 March 2017. The visit was primarily aimed at familiarizing the MN officers on Indian Naval Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) operational / training facilities and exploring avenues for defence co-operation in the field. Towards fostering closer and warmer relations with Myanmar, the Indian Navy has always tried to strengthen defence cooperation with the Myanmar Navy by providing assistance, especially in the fields of training, weapon / equipment sales and hydrographic assistance.

Coastal and seaward security subjects should be incorporated in school and college curriculums, says Commodore G. Prakash, director of the Maritime Warfare Centre at the Southern Naval Command, India. The top naval official said that the security of the seas surrounding India has financial, diplomatic and geopolitical ramifications. Citizens must be made aware of the significance of maritime security and its link to the growth of the country and its ties with nations across the seas. The country was developing better allied infrastructure for improving the coastal security and surveillance system, he said. "Securing seas and oceans is of prime importance for the country as any strife on the waters will have direct implication on the economy of the country," Prakash said.

Chinese Navy’s training ship ‘Zheng He’ called at Kochi recently. Rear Admiral Liao Shining, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Peoples Liberation Army-Navy (PLA Navy ) was on board the vessel as the task commander. Zhang Yan, Ambassador of China to India along with Defence Attache of China in India Major General Cai Ping were in the city to receive the Chinese warship. The Chinese ship was received at the berth by Indian Navy officials with the Southern Naval Command band. The itinerary of the visiting ship at Kochi includes mutual visits, friendly sports matches and a joint band performance at Sagarika auditorium. The cadets on board the ship are also expected to visit the Maritime Museum at INS Dronacharya.