Officers and sailors during an interaction in the harbour phase of Exercise Samudra Laksamana in Visakhapatnam. (India Sentinels photo via special arrangement.)
Visakhapatnam: India-Malaysia bilateral naval drills – “Exercise Samudra Laksamana” – started on Thursday off the Visakhapatnam coast in the Bay of Bengal. The Indian Navy is represented by the Kamorta-class anti-submarine corvette INS Kiltan (P30), while the Royal Malaysian Navy is represented by the Kasturi-class corvette RMNS KD Lekir (F26).
This is the third edition of this exercise, which, this time, is held under the aegis of the Visakhapatnam-based Eastern Naval Command. The exercise will have a harbour phase where professional interactions will take place. It will be followed by the operational phase at sea.
Harbour phase involves professional interactions, subject-matter expert exchange on topics of mutual interest, sports fixtures, and other interactions. These interactions are aimed to enhance knowledge base, share the best practices, and further cooperation on maritime aspects.
During sea phase, units would be jointly honing skills while conducting various operations at sea.
The exercise aims to strengthen bonds and enhance interoperability between the Indian and Royal Malaysian Navy.
