Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 concludes in Kochi with participation from 27 countries
Kochi, July 24. Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, a four-day multinational maritime security training engagement, concluded at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi on July 23, bringing together 276 personnel from 27 countries.
Conducted by the Indian Navy in partnership with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), under the aegis of the Southern Naval Command and the Indian Navy-led Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154), the programme also received support from 76 facilitators and subject matter experts, with four international organisations participating.
The engagement was inaugurated on July 20 by Rear Admiral Deepak Singhal, Chief Staff Officer (Training), Headquarters Southern Naval Command, in the presence of Commodore Dan Thomas, Deputy Commander, Combined Maritime Forces, senior naval officers and representatives of participating countries.
The training programme brought together maritime security, legal and operational perspectives through professional discussions, simulator-based instruction and practical exercises. Key areas covered included maritime domain awareness and information sharing, maritime law, counter-narcotics operations, force protection, asymmetric threats, maritime uncrewed systems and operational sea training.
Training inputs were provided by various Indian Navy establishments, including the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), along with CMF elements such as the Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC). International organisations, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMO IMLI), also contributed specialist expertise.
Participants underwent practical training in damage control and firefighting, maritime communications, survival at sea and boarding procedures. They also received sea training onboard an Indian naval ship, providing opportunities to share operational experiences and best practices among maritime services and organisations.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the engagement generated 3,800 training man-hours and helped enhance interoperability, professional networks and operational confidence among participating nations. The programme also contributed to regional capacity-building and collective maritime security by combining classroom-based learning with hands-on training.
The closing ceremony on July 23 featured an address by Commodore Milind M Mokashi, Commander of CTF 154, followed by the presentation of certificates to facilitators and a valedictory address by the Chief Staff Officer (Training).
The Ministry said the successful conduct of Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 showcased the Indian Navy’s modern training infrastructure, advanced simulators, instructional methodologies and professional expertise. The engagement also reinforced the partnership between the Indian Navy and CMF and highlighted India’s leadership of CTF 154.
The exercise further underscored the Southern Naval Command’s growing role as a major maritime training hub and a preferred destination for professional maritime training, the Ministry said.
