India, Indonesia conduct maritime exercise in Andaman Sea

An Indian Navy corvette and a maritime patrol aircraft joined Indonesian Navy assets for the 28th India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) and second bilateral maritime exercise.

The exercises, which started October 10 and will last until October 27, are taking place in the Andaman Sea.

Defence relations between India and Indonesia have been growing steadily with regular joint activities and interactions between the Armed Forces of the two countries. The two navies have been carrying out coordinated patrols (CORPAT) on respective sides of the international maritime boundary line (IMBL) twice a year since 2002, with the aim of keeping this vital part of the Indian Ocean Region safe and secure for commercial shipping, International trade and legitimate marine activities.

The opening ceremony at Belawan, Indonesia from 10-13 Oct 16 is being attended by Commodore Girish Kumar Garg, the naval component commander of the tri-service Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) based at Port Blair.

Both navies will deploy one warship and one maritime patrol aircraft to the exercise.