Table of Contents
India and Greece Conduct First Naval Exercise in the Mediterranean Sea
Exercise Overview
- Dates Held: The harbour phase took place from 13 to 17 September 2025, and the sea phase was held from 17 to 18 September 2025.
- Exercise Location: The harbour phase happened at Salamis Naval Base, and the sea phase was in the Mediterranean Sea close to the base.
- Indian Ship: The Indian Navy was represented by INS Trikand, a modern warship equipped with guided missiles.
- Greek Units: The Greek Navy took part with their ship HS Themistokles and other naval teams.
Key Sea Drills
- Replenishment Practice: Both navies practiced transferring fuel and supplies between ships while sailing, an important skill for long missions.
- Night VBSS: Teams trained to board and check suspicious ships during the night, which is useful for stopping illegal activities at sea.
- ASW Operations: The navies worked together to search for and track submarines, practising anti-submarine warfare.
- Gunnery Exercise: Ships fired their guns in coordination and practised sailing in tactical formations.
- Helicopter Ops: Helicopters from both navies landed on each other’s ships, testing how well their crews can work together.
Harbour Phase
- Cross-Deck Visits: Sailors from both sides visited each other’s ships and shared knowledge about operations, safety, and ship handling.
- Pre-Sail Briefs: Officers from India and Greece met to plan the sea exercises and make sure all safety steps were followed.
- Cultural Events: The Indian ship hosted visitors, and there were friendly interactions and cultural exchanges to build closer ties.
Strategic Significance
- Regional Reach: For India, this exercise showed its growing presence outside the Indian Ocean, reaching into the Mediterranean Sea.
- NATO Links: Working with Greece, a NATO member, helped both navies learn how to coordinate better with European forces.
- Defence Diplomacy: The exercise built trust and showed both countries want stronger military cooperation in the future.
Official Messaging
- PIB Release: India’s Press Information Bureau confirmed the successful completion of the maiden exercise on 18 September 2025.
- Cultural Visits: During the harbour stay, Indian sailors also visited Greek landmarks, including the Acropolis, highlighting friendship beyond defence.
- Positive Coverage: News outlets in both India and Greece reported widely on the event, calling it a step forward in relations.
Background and Context
- Global Outreach: In recent years, India has been expanding naval exercises with many countries around the world.
- Greek Interest: For Greece, this partnership brings them closer to a strong Asian navy and strengthens their security in the Mediterranean.
- Mediterranean Role: The exercise showed both nations’ commitment to peace and stability in the region.
Future Outlook
- Expanded Drills: In the coming years, such exercises may include more ships, aircraft, or even other defence agencies.
- Frequent Visits: Indian ships are likely to make more port visits to Greece, and staff-level meetings may increase.
- Defence Ties: The two countries could also expand cooperation in technology, logistics, and training.
Important Questions
- On which dates and at which locations did the India–Greece naval exercise take place?
- Which Indian Navy ship and which Hellenic Navy ship participated in the exercise?
- What drills were conducted during the sea phase of the India–Greece naval exercise?
- What professional exchanges and cultural activities were conducted during the harbour phase at Salamis Naval Base?
- What are the strategic and defence significance of the first India–Greece naval exercise?
Conclusion
The first India–Greece naval exercise showed how both countries are building stronger defence and friendship ties. By training together at sea and sharing culture on land, the two navies improved their teamwork and trust. This event marked the beginning of a new chapter in cooperation between India and Greece.
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