India, Saudi Arabia begin first ever naval exercise

The three-day long maiden bilateral exercise ‘Al-Mohed Al-Hindi’ between Indian Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Force commenced on 12 Aug off the coast of Al Jubail. Indian Navy participated with its indigenously built stealth destroyer Kochi with two integral Sea King helicopters. The Royal Saudi Navy was represented by missile corvette Badr along with two FACs

New Delhi: ​The sea phase of the three-day long maiden bilateral exercise ‘Al-Mohed Al-Hindi’ between the Indian Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Force commenced on 12 Aug off the coast of Al Jubail. Indian Navy participated with its indigenously built stealth destroyer Kochi with two integral Sea King helicopters. The Royal Saudi Navy was represented by missile corvette Badr along with two FACs.

​Day one saw the two navies undertook coordinated action against the asymmetric threat, replenishment at sea procedures, anti-piracy and boarding operations. Complex and collaborative exercises including weapon targeting drills beyond the horizon were also conducted to enhance synergy and inter-operability between the two navies.

Indian Navy’s guided-missile destroyer INS Kochi reached Saudi Arabia on Monday for the “Al-Mohed Al-Hindi 2021” exercise.

The warship went to Saudi Arabia after carrying out a naval exercise with the UAE Navy off the coast of Abu Dhabi on Saturday, they said.

The harbour phase of the “Al-Mohed Al-Hindi 2021” exercise began on Monday while the sea-based drills are taking place from Wednesday.

On its arrival at the Jubail port, the ship was given a warm welcome by officials of the Royal Saudi naval forces.

The exercise is taking place amid rising tension in the Gulf region after a drone attack on a merchant tanker off Oman killed a British national and a Romanian citizen over a week back.

The UK and the US pointed fingers at Iran for the attack on MV Mercer Street, operated by an Israeli-owned firm. Tehran has already rejected the charges.

In December last year, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane visited the UAE and Saudi Arabia in a first-ever visit by a head of the Indian Army to the two important Gulf countries.