India, African Nations Launch 6-Day Maiden Naval Drill 'AIKEYME 25' In Tanzania
The six-day naval drill includes a harbour phase with joint training and exercises focused on piracy and information sharing, followed by a sea phase to enhance maritime security cooperation.
India and a group of African countries have launched the first-ever joint naval exercise Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) 2025, off the coast of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
The six-day drill was launched Sunday and is jointly hosted by the Indian Navy and the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF). The exercise will witness participation from ten nations including Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, India and the host country, Tanzania.
It includes a harbour phase with joint training and exercises focused on piracy and information sharing, followed by a sea phase to enhance maritime security cooperation.
"This initiative aims to develop collaborative solutions to regional maritime challenges, enhance interoperability, and strengthen the friendly relations between India and African nations," a statement by Ministry of Defence read.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, Minister of Defence and National Service of Tanzania, Sanjay Seth, India's Raksha Rajya Mantri (RRM), and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. Several distinguished military leaders, including the Chief of Defence Force of the Tanzania Peoples' Defence Force (TPDF) also attended the event.
Inauguration of #AIKEYME 25 at Dar-es-Salaam, #Tanzania on #13Apr 25, strengthened the belief of cooperation & collaborative #maritimesecurity between #India & #Africa.
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 14, 2025
The event was inaugurated by Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, Minister of Defence & National Service of #Tanzania,… https://t.co/IaLH4dLt6p pic.twitter.com/dnXgKggx1o
Indian naval vessels the INS Chennai (guided-missile destroyer), INS Kesari (transport dock), and offshore patrol vessel INS Sunayna are among the key participants in the naval exercise, which is part of India’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
Tanzanian Defense Minister Stergomena Lawrence Tax, who also attended the opening ceremony, called the exercise a "new chapter" in India-Africa strategic maritime collaboration.
“In these turbulent times, regional cooperation is not a choice but a necessity,” Tax said. “This drill allows us to train together, plan together, and operate together when needed. We are proud to be part of this historic moment.”
Harbour And Sea Phase
The six-day naval exercise includes a harbour phase with joint training and exercises on piracy and information sharing, followed by a sea phase to enhance maritime security cooperation, Ministry of Defence said.
The sea phase, which is underway, will conclude on April 18. It includes coordinated patrols, search-and-rescue operations, and tactical maneuvers. It was launched on Wednesday in the western Indian Ocean region (IOR).
A pre-sailing conference was also held onboard INS Chennai for the operations teams of the participating Kenya Navy and Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces ships ahead of the sea phase.
INS Chennai also undertook installation and demonstration of the MITRA terminals onboard the participating ships, for seamless communication during the sea phase.
The harbour phase of the exercise, from April 13 to 15, concluded on Tuesday, featuring a defence exposition in which 22 Indian firms showcased advanced technologies, including surveillance and communication systems.
It included joint training sessions for Indian Navy and TPDF Navy personnel on damage control, fire fighting, seamanship evolutions, small arms, and boat handling procedures by INS Kesari along with a specialist team of INS Chennai.
As part of the harbour phase, Tabletop Exercise (TTX) and Command Post Exercise (CPX) were conducted at the Shule Ya Ubaharia (Naval Training School) in Dar-es-Salaam. Observers from the countries participating in the drill held engaging discussions on maritime challenges in the IOR and the need for collaborative efforts to enhance maritime security.
#AIKEYME 25 - Harbour Phase
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 15, 2025
Joint training sessions for #IndianNavy and #TPDF Navy personnel on Damage Control, Fire Fighting, Seamanship Evolutions, Small Arms and Boat Handling procedures were conducted by #INSKesari along with a specialist team of #INSChennai.
Boosting… https://t.co/9mSpTT5CDv pic.twitter.com/44ErNBgiQV
High-level planning sessions and command post exercises focusing on anti-piracy operations, and joint training on ship boarding and search operations were also held during this phase.
AIKEYME 25, meaning ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit, aims to enhance interoperability between the navies and maritime agencies of participating countries.
Tanzania's Defence Minister stressed the "significance of going along" to tackle maritime threats like piracy and trafficking while inaugurating the exercise. She called for "collaborative effort towards Maritime security by like-minded partners" and stressed the aim of building an "enduring framework of maritime security, including innovation and information sharing," Ministry of Defence's statement said.
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