HMAS (Her Majesty’s Australian Ship) Newcastle, an Adelaide Class Frigate, berthed at Kochi on May 23. The ship, on her way for deployment in the Gulf of Aden, is commanded by Commander Paul O’Grady.
The ship was received at the entrance of the harbor by INS Kabra. Officials from the Southern Naval Command accompanied by the Southern Naval Command Band received the ship formally at the pier.
The Commanding Officer of HMAS Newcastle, accompanied by the Australian Consul General at Chennai and the Australian Defence Attache based in New Delhi, called on Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer, Commanding in Chief of the Southern Naval Command.
Mutual visits to the ship and training facilities of the Southern Naval Command, professional exchanges as well as social interactions are on the schedule drawn up for the visiting Australian warship. INS Sharda of Southern Naval Command will undertake a PASSEX – a basic maneuvering exercise – with HMAS Newcastle off Kochi when she departs on Friday.
[mappress] Press Release, May 24, 2013; Image: Indian Navy