In a demonstration of its operational reach and commitment to India’s ‘Act East’ policy, the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet, under the command of Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet Rear Admiral S.V. Bhokare, sailed out on Wednesday on a two-and-a-half-month-long operational deployment to the South China Sea and North West Pacific.
During this overseas deployment, the ships of the Eastern Fleet will make port calls at Cam Rahn Bay (Vietnam), Subic Bay (Philippines), Sasebo (Japan), Busan (South Korea), Vladivostok (Russia), and Port Klang (Malaysia).
Indigenously built guided missile stealth frigates, IN Ships — Satpura and Sahyadri — commanded by Captain A.N. Pramod and Captain K.S. Rajkumar respectively, INS Shakti, a sophisticated fleet support ship, commanded by Captain Gagan Kaushal and INS Kirch, an indigenous guided missile corvette commanded by Commander Sharad Sinsunwal, are participating in this deployment.
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The visits to each port will last four days and are aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing inter-operability between the navies. During the stay in harbour, various activities such as official calls and professional interaction between naval personnel of both the nations have been planned.
PASSEX has also been planned at sea with the host navies.
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In addition to showing the Flag in this region of vital strategic importance to India, these ships will also participate in MALABAR-16, a maritime exercise with the US Navy and JMSDF.