New Delhi, September 20. The Indian Navy and the Hellenic Navy concluded their first bilateral maritime exercise on September 18 in the Mediterranean Sea, marking a significant step forward in defence cooperation between India and Greece.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on September 20, the exercise, held in two phases, began with a harbour phase from September 13 to 17 at Salamis Naval Base, followed by a sea phase on September 17 and 18. The Indian Navy was represented by INS Trikand, a guided missile stealth frigate.
During the harbour phase, sailors from both navies engaged in professional exchanges, cross-deck visits and a pre-sail conference onboard HS Themistokles, an Elli-class frigate of the Hellenic Navy. The phase also featured cultural programmes, including a reception attended by India’s Ambassador to Greece, Rudrendra Tandon, senior Hellenic Navy officers and their families. The Indian crew also visited the Acropolis, highlighting people-to-people linkages alongside military ties.
The sea phase tested the operational synergy of the two navies through advanced drills such as night Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations, anti-submarine warfare, replenishment-at-sea, coordinated gun firing, and cross-deck helicopter operations. These complex manoeuvres demonstrated the ability of both navies to operate jointly in demanding maritime scenarios.
The successful completion of the maiden exercise reflects the growing alignment between India and Greece on maritime security and freedom of navigation in international waters. The engagement provided both sides with an opportunity to share best practices, strengthen interoperability and build professional rapport.
Following the exercise, INS Trikand sailed ahead for the next leg of her Mediterranean deployment.
