Stealth frigate INS Sahyadri enters Da Nang port in Vietnam

Allappuzha, Oct 02: Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri entered Da Nang in Vietnam on a four-day visit starting on Friday. Indian Navy said the Shvalik-class stealth frigate is on an ‘Operational Deployment' mission to South China Sea and the North West Pacific region.

The deployment, according to Indian Navy, is a part of India's ‘Look East' and ‘Act East' policy.

According to officials, during her stay in harbour, a series of activities have been planned to enhance cooperation between the two navies.

"These include official calls and interaction with dignitaries of the Vietnamese government and the Vietnamese Peoples' Navy (VPN), reception onboard INS Sahyadri, onboard visits by local populace, guided tours for Indian naval personnel and professional interaction between personnel of both the navies," says Navy spokesperson Capt D K Sharma.

India and Vietnam shame a healthy relationship and both countries instituted a ‘Security Dialogue' in 2003.

Later in 2007, India and Vietnam signed a Joint Declaration on the ‘Establishment of a Strategic Partnership' in 2007 and a ‘MoU on Defence Cooperation' in 2009.

Power-packed warship of Indian Navy

Currently commanded by Captain Kunal Raj Kumar, INS Sahyadri is a multi-role stealth frigate that boasts of an impressive array of weaponry in her arsenal. It is armed with long range anti-ship missiles, medium and short range surface to air missiles and powerful guns providing a formidable shield against all types of surface and air threats.

The ship's capability to carry two integral multi-role helicopters significantly enhances the potency of this ship.

Commissioned into the Eastern Naval Command in July 2012, INS Sahyadri's current sojourn primarily aimed at cementing bilateral ties and enhancing inter-operability between navies of the two countries.

Admiral Dhowan on official tour to Australia

In a related development of Indian Navy, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R K Dhowan began his official tour to Australia from Friday. The visit, lasting till October 7, is aimed at consolidating the existing maritime cooperation initiatives between two nations.

The Navy Chief's visit has been programmed to coincide with the prestigious annual ‘Sea Power Conference' organised by the Australia Navy. Around 40 heads of different navies are expected to participate in this forum.

Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy are partners in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), a maritime cooperation construct conceptualised and pioneered by Indian Navy in 2008. Both countries share similar maritime challenges such as long coastline, extensive EEZ, coastal security, large coastal shipping and fishing fleet.

OneIndia News