On March 10th and 11th, the Indian Navy's indigenously built guided missile frigate, INS Sahyadri, engaged in a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) in the Arabian Sea alongside French Navy ships FS Dixmude, a Mistral Class Amphibious Assault Ship, and FS La Fayette, a La Fayette Class Frigate, news agency ANI reported.
The effective completion of the drills exemplifies the high level of professionalism and interoperability that exists between the two navies.
At sea, the exercise witnessed a wide range of evolutions, including cross-deck landings, boarding exercises, and seamanship evolutions.
INS Sahyadri is outfitted with cutting-edge weaponry and sensors, allowing her to detect and neutralise threats from the air, surface, and subsurface. The ship is part of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet, stationed in Visakhapatnam, and is operated by FOCinC (East).
The INS Sahyadri was built at Mumbai's Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL). The vessel's keel was laid on September 30, 2003, and it was launched on May 27, 2005. It went through sea testing between 2011 and 2012.
India and France are maritime nations with thriving maritime economic sectors such as marine technology and scientific research, fishery, port and shipping, to mention a few. With large exclusive economic zones, their fate is inextricably connected to the water and the ocean.
(With Inputs From ANI)