New Delhi: The first edition of India, France and UAE Maritime Partnership Exercise commenced on Jun 7, 2023 in the Gulf of Oman.
As per Indian Navy, INS Tarkash and French Ship Surcouf both with integral helicopters, French Rafale aircraft and UAE Navy Maritime Patrol Aircraft are participating in the exercise.
INS Tarkash is the second of the Teg class of stealth frigates. The ship has a displacement of 4,000 tonnes, a length of 125 metres, a beam of 16 metres and is capable of speed upto 30 knots. The ship is capable of operating Kamov 31 Airborne Early Warning, and Chetak search and rescue helicopters.
The exercise scheduled over two days will witness a wide spectrum of naval operations such as Surface Warfare, involving tactical firing and Drills for Missile engagements on surface targets, Helicopter Cross Deck Landing Operations, Advanced Air Defence Exercise and Boarding operations.
The exercise would also include cross embarkation of personnel for exchange of best practises.
The maiden exercise aims to enhance trilateral cooperation between the three navies and pave way for adopting measures towards addressing traditional and non-traditional threats in the maritime environment.
The exercise will also enhance collaboration in ensuring safety of mercantile trade and freedom of navigation at high seas in the region.
Eariler, in March this year Indian Navy's indigenously built guided missile frigate, INS Sahyadri had participated in a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with French Navy (FN) ships FS Dixmude, a Mistral Class Amphibious Assault Ship and FS La Fayette, a La Fayette Class Frigate, in the Arabian Sea.
The partnership exercise was conducted on March 10-11.
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