Exercise Samudra Shakti-23: Indian, Indonesian navies to participate in joint drills

Indian Navy's indigenously designed & built Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvette INS Kavaratti has reached Batam, Indonesia to participate in the 4th edition of India-Indonesia Bilateral Exercise Samudra Shakti-23 being held from May 14-19, 2023.

An Indian Navy Dornier maritime patrol aircraft and Chetak helicopter is also participating. The Indonesian Navy will be represented by KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda, CN 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and AS565 Panther Helicopter, the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday (May 14, 2023).

Exercise Samudra Shakti-23, which is aimed at enhancing interoperability, jointness and mutual cooperation between both the navies, will have a Harbour Phase and a Sea Phase.

The Harbour phase will comprise cross-deck visits, professional Interactions, subject matter expert exchanges, and sports fixtures. During the Sea Phase, weapon firing, Helicopter Operations, Anti-Submarine Warfare & air defence exercises and boarding operations are planned.

"Samudra Shakti -23 will showcase the high level of interoperability between the two navies and their shared commitment towards peace and stability in the region," the Ministry of Defence said.

Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’ was conceived in 2018 as a bilateral Indian Navy-Indonesian Navy exercise in pursuance of India’s Act East Policy. The exercise has matured in complexity over the last three editions and involves the conduct of complex maritime operations including Military Interdiction Operations (MIO), Cross Deck Landings, Air Defence serials, Practice Weapon Firings, Replenishment Approaches and Tactical Manoeuvres.

The 3rd edition of ‘Samudra Shakti’ was conducted off the approaches to Sunda Strait, Indonesia in September 2021.