Other Visits. Other naval ships visited ports in the Persian Gulf and the South China Sea, during the period under review.

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16.  MILAN 03.   A multinational exercise and interaction, involving navies of South Asia and South East Asia, generically named ‘MILAN 03’, was held at Port Blair from 11 -15 Feb 03.  Warships from Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand participated. Australia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Singapore sent delegations.

17.  The details of other interaction with foreign navies, during the period under review, are tabulated below: -

Exercises and Joint Operations with Foreign Navies

18.       The Indian Navy has institutionalised joint exercises with USA, France, and Singapore and joint patrols with Indonesia.  In addition, IN ships also carried out joint exercises with Russian Naval units in the Indian Ocean.  The details of such exercises are as mentioned in succeeding paragraphs.                                 Top

19.       USA.

(a)       SAREX-2003.   A bilateral Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) was conducted off Chennai from 08 to 12 Jul 03.   The US Navy fielded P-3C Orion aircraft and an Oliver Hazard Perry Class Guided Missile Frigate (USS Curts).  Indian participation involved INS Sukanya, a Seaking helicopter and CGS Varaha.  Two observers each from Maldives, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Mauritius, also participated in the exercise.

(b)       MALABAR - 03.   The annual Indo-US Joint Exercise, ‘MALABAR-03’ was conducted off Kochi from 05 to 10 Oct 03.  USS Chosin (Ticonderoga Class Guided Missile Cruiser), USS Fitzgerald (Arleigh Burke Class Guided Missile Destroyer), USS Pasadena (Los Angeles Class Attack Submarine) and P3C Orion (Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft) were the major units which participated from the US side.  Indian participation included INS Brahmaputra (Guided Missile Frigate), INS Ganga (Guided Missile Frigate), INS Shalki (Submarine), INS Shakti (Replenishment Tanker), Tu 142 aircraft (Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti Submarine Warfare) and Dornier aircraft (Maritime Reconnaissance), apart from the ship’s integral helicopters.  On the sports field, teams from the two sides, also competed for the MALABAR Cup on 09 Oct 03, which was won by the Indian Navy team.

20.       France.   The fourth Indo-French Exercise of the ‘Varuna’ series, namely VARUNA-2003/1 was conducted off Mumbai, from 25 to 30 Aug 03.  The French Navy was represented by FNS Marne (a Replenishment Tanker and the Flagship of the French Admiral Commanding French Forces in the Indian Ocean), FNS Dupleix (an Anti-submarine Destroyer) and an Atlantique MK II aircraft (Maritime Patrol), operating from Goa.  The Indian participation included INS Ganga (Guided Missile Frigate), INS Dunagiri (Anti-Submarine Frigate) and INS Shankul (Submarine).

21.   Singapore.   The fifth Indo-Singapore Anti Submarine Warfare exercise was conducted off Kochi from 02 to 13 Mar 03.   The Republic of Singapore Navy was represented by RSS Vigour and Valiant (Missile Corvettes) and RSS Brave (Patrol Vessel). The Indian participation included INS Gomati (Guided Missile Frigate), INS Sujata and Suvarna (Offshore Patrol Vessels) and INS Vela (Submarine).

 22.     Russia.  The first Indo-Russian Exercise, called ‘INDRA-2003’ was conducted from 20 to 22 May 03 on the western seaboard, and from 29 to 31 May 03 on the eastern seaboard.  The Russian participation included Moskva (Slava Class Cruiser with Vice Admiral EV Orvlov, the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and Commander Black Sea Fleet embarked), Marshal Shaposhnikov (Udaloy Class Destroyer), Admiral Pantyeleyev (Udaloy Class Destroyer) and Vladimir Kolechitsky (Tanker).   The Indian participation included IN Ships Mumbai, Mysore, Viraat, Brahmaputra, Gomati and IN Submarine Sindhuvijay on the western seaboard and IN Ships Rajput, Ranjit, Ranvijay and Submarines Sindhuvir and Vela on the eastern seaboard.

23.   Indonesia. The second Indo-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol, called ‘INDINDOCORPAT’ was conducted from 13 Mar 03 to 06 Apr 03. IN Ships Trinkat, Tarmugli and Tarasa (in rotation) participated from the Indian side while Indonesian Naval Ship, KRI Silas Papare, represented Indonesia.

 24.    Oman.  The Indo-Oman Joint Exercise ‘Thammar Al Tayyib’ was conducted on the western seaboard from 24 to 26 Apr 03. 

 25.   China. On completion of the port-call to Shanghai, IN Ships Ranjit and Kulish carried out a Search and Rescue exercise (SAREX) with the ships of the Chinese Navy, off Shanghai, on 14 Nov 03.  PLA (N) ships Jiaxing (Frigate with integral helicopter) and tanker Panyang Hu participated, from the Chinese side.

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26.      MOUs / Agreements Signed.   Following MOUs / Agreements were signed between 01 Apr 03 to 31 Dec 03: -

27.     Gifting of Spares to Vietnam.   As a gesture of good will aimed at furthering our friendly relations with Vietnam, the Government of India has gifted naval machinery spares worth Rs 4 crore to the Vietnam Peoples Navy (VPN). The spares were handed over to the VPN during the visit of Admiral Madhvendra Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff to Vietnam in Dec 03.

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28.    Visits by Delegations. Following delegations from foreign countries visited for discussions and mutual co-operation: -

29.      RM Onboard.  Shri George Fernandes, Hon'ble Raksha Mantri embarked INS Sindhuvir at 1800 h on 24 May 03 for a one day sortie. Vice Admiral Raman Puri PVSM AVSM VSM, FOC-in -C East accompanied the Rakaha Mantri.  Onboard the submarine the RM was given a brief presentation on operational state of ships and submarines of the Eastern Naval Command by Commander-in-Chief.  The RM also witnessed various submarine operations that included diving, surfacing and other drills. Prior to disembarking, the RM addressed the Ships Company and expressed his appreciation for high degree of professional competence.

30.      RRM Visit.   Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, Rajya Raksha Mantri visited INS Rajali on 26 Feb 03. The minister was given a tour of the various facilities in the Air Station and a brief overview of the operations undertaken.

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31.  Flood Relief Operations in Sri Lanka.   INS Sharda was deployed at Galle, Sri Lanka from 20 to 26 May 03, to provide relief in the flood affected areas of South and Central Sri Lanka. The Indian teams distributed more than 5000 food packets, 2500 blankets and provided medical relief to more than 1000 patients.  The quick response by the Indian Navy was well covered in the print and electronic media.
 
32.   Towing of MCGS Vigilant.   Mauritian Coast Guard Ship Vigilant was towed by INS Matanga from Port Louis, Mauritius to Mumbai in Apr 03, for undertaking repairs at Mumbai.  A Chetak helicopter was also embarked aboard Vigilant for transportation to India, for overhaul at HAL, Bangalore.

33.   Assistance to Merchant Ship in Distress.   On 10 Jun 03, Yard 3010 (Betwa), while progressing her ‘Sea Trials’ off Sand Heads, provided assistance to a Merchant Vessel, ‘MV Fortune Carrier’, in distress and in immediate danger of sinking.  Betwa was able to safely rescue the entire crew of 20 personnel from the ship before it sank.

 34.       Assistance at Daman.   The Indian Naval diving team along with the Coast Guard diving team provided valuable assistance, in rescuing personnel and vehicle, which had fallen in water due to the collapse of bridge on Daman Ganga river at Daman on 28 Aug 03.

 35.   Transportation of Arms to Seychelles.   INS Investigator transported military stores (small arms and ammunition), which had been gifted by the Government of India to the SPDF (Seychelles Peoples Defence Force) from Kochi to Seychelles in the month of Aug 03.

 36.     CASEVAC.   In Jan 03, while keeping vigil off Minicoy Islands, INS Sharda carried out casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) of Turkish sailor from merchant ship MV Muzeyyen Ana 100 nm west of Minicoy.  The suffering sailor was evacuated to the warship and kept under acute medical surveillance with all resources available onboard. The patient Mr.Demlr huseyin was safely brought to Kochi on mid night of 30 Jan 03 and handed over to specialist medical team from Medical Trust Hospital.

 37.     CASEVAC by Chetak.    321 Garuda flight undertook a CASEVAC mission off Kochi on 12 Jul 03 in adverse weather conditions. A critical patient was winched up from a merchant ship MV Car Bridge and transferred to Civil Hospital.

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  38.    Interaction with Foreign Countries.    A total of 400 vacancies have been allotted for training of personnel from friendly foreign countries in India for the year 2003-04. The list of countries offered these vacancies is as follows: - ­

39.       Similarly, a total of 31 Indian personnel have been deputed abroad for training and various courses, which includes 12 personnel to the US under the International Military Education and Training programme.

40.     Hydrographic Co-operation. Ten foreign officers from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Nigeria, Malaysia, Seychelles, Thailand and Mauritius attended the free basic Hydrography course between 21 Oct 2002 and 24 May 2003 at National Hydrographic School, Goa. This is inline with the NHD’s International Cooperation efforts in the littoral region, as part of the North Indian Ocean Hydrographic Commission (NIOHC) efforts of capacity building.

41.      First Training Squadron.     A total of 141 cadets were trained onboard INS Tir and Krishna of First Training Squadron. During the course of sea training, besides visiting all major ports of India, the cadets also visited port of Suez, Palermo, Alexandria, Port Said, Bandar Abbas, Al Fujaira and Muscat during the overseas deployment.

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42.        Navy Wide Networking.    A Navy Wide Network is being progressed to ensure data transfer and connectivity.  This shall be set up in a progressive manner over three years.

43.        Computerisation.   Various application programs are under consideration for development in areas of Pay and Allowances, Hospital administration and Administration.  These packages shall be developed both through in-house expertise as well as outsourcing.

44.        IT Training.   IT Training continues to be vital to meet the increasing requirement of computerisation in the Navy.  Various courses are being planned and conducted on site from time to time.

45.       First Afro Asian Games.    Following naval personnel brought laurels to the Indian Navy in the first Afro Asian games held at Hyderabad from 24 Oct to 01 Nov 03: -

       (a)       AL Lakra, Petty Officer Silver Medal in boxing.

       (b)       CPRS Kumar, Chief Petty Officer Bronze Medal in weight lifting.

46.      Aero Adventure Sport.      A node for conducting para jumping, sky diving, microlite flying etc. has been setup at Dega, Visakhapatnam. The Navy is also setting up its own Sky Diving Team. The team would subsequently participate in various international events.

47.      Mountaineering.  The IN Mountaineering Cell has been setup at Naval Headquarters. After a successful assault on Mt Suitilla in 2002, the Naval Mountaineering team recently scaled Mt Kamet/ Abigamin and Mt Saser Kangri in the year 2003, with the ultimate aim of scaling Mt Everest in spring of 2004.

48.      XXII Antarctic Expedition. Naval Hydrographic team participated in XXII Antarctic Summer expedition and collected valuable hydrographic information for co-production of Chart with Russia.  

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49.       CRZ Surveys.  A major survey of the Coastal Regulation Zone for Govt. of Karnataka was undertaken at a cost of Rs. 56.56 Lakhs.  Phase two and three of the survey are in progress. In addition the CZM survey of Greater Mumbai was also undertaken during Jan 03. These surveys were aimed at demarcating the Coastal Regulation Zone as part of Environment Protection Project in which Hydrographic parameters are of relevance to Coastal Planning and development.

50.       Fire Support.  INS RajaIi fire fighting team provided aid to civil authorities for fighting the fire on two occasions at the Arakkonam Railway Station. In a train compartment on 16 Jan 03 and the cycle stand on 23 Jun 03.

51.      Medical Camp.         With a view to provide aid to the poor and needy villagers and to create health awareness amongst them, a medical camp was organised at Fatarkativillai village on 27 Sep 03. Around 135 villages were benefited out of this programme.

52.      Supply of Fresh Water to Villages.    Fresh drinking water is being provided to nearby villages of Tirunelvelli especially for the ceremonial occasions in their temples / mosques. A separate tap outlet has also been provided for, the Vijayanarayanam village.

53.       Flood Relief Operations / Aid to Civil Power.      One Prahar (a unit of Marine Commandos) was deployed in Marshaghai villages, Kandrapada (Dt), Orissa in early Sep 03 as an aid to civil authorities. The Prahar extensively traveled the flood-hit area using Geminis and distributed food materials, offered medical assistance and rescued the personnel from the submerged villages. One Chetak wes deployed at Icchapuram on 08 and 09 Oct 03 on request of the State Govt. of AP for flood relief operations and dropping of food packets for marroned people.

54.      National Security Environment.   Workshop interactions with Presidents of neighboring villages of Naval bases are carried out to apprise them of the overall security requirements and their role as, the 'First line of Defence’ by reporting suspicious activities.

55.      Defence Civilian Annual Training Conference.  An Inaugural ‘Civilian Annual Training Conference’ was held at Kochi in Feb 2003.  Approximately 4000 Defence civilian personnel of Kochi are trained annually.

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56.       The Indian Navy first inducted women in 1992. As on date, a total of 179 (including 58 Medical Officers) women officers are serving across various units in the Navy. These officers are assimilated into the mainstream and their promotion prospects, training as well as career progression are at par with their male counterparts.

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