Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron sets sail for Southeast Asia on long-range deployment
New Delhi, January 7. The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS), comprising INS Tir, Shardul, Sujata and Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi, has embarked on a long-range training deployment to Southeast Asia as part of the curriculum of the 110th Integrated Officers’ Training Course (IOTC).
During the deployment, the squadron will make port calls at Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, where it will engage in a series of professional and operational interactions with regional navies and maritime agencies, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence on January 7. The visits are aimed at giving officer trainees extensive at-sea and cross-cultural exposure, while also strengthening India’s maritime engagement with Southeast Asian countries in line with New Delhi’s Act East Policy and its vision of a free, open and inclusive Indian Ocean Region.
A range of activities is planned during the port calls, including structured training exchanges, cross-deck visits, interactions with subject matter experts and joint maritime partnership exercises. These engagements are intended to improve interoperability, build mutual trust and enhance understanding among partner navies, while also enabling the sharing of best practices in maritime operations.
The 110th IOTC includes six international officer trainees, underlining the Indian Navy’s ongoing commitment to capacity building and professional military education for personnel from friendly foreign nations. Officers and personnel from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force have also been embarked for the deployment, reinforcing jointness and inter-service cooperation.
The long-range training deployment highlights the Indian Navy’s focus on high-quality training, while also contributing to maritime diplomacy, regional goodwill and a cooperative approach to security in the Indian Ocean region.
