Indian Navy's first training squadron deployed in Phuket

NEW DELHI: Indian naval ships Tir and Sujata, and sail-training ship Sudarshini along with Indian Coast Guard's Varuna, reached Phuket in Thailand today as part of an overseas deployment during spring.

The First Training Squadron forms part of Southern Naval Command and will stay there till April 8.

The primary aim of the Squadron is to impart sea training to naval and Coast Guard trainees, with a 24-week ab initio sea training.

All the participants are trained in seamanship, navigation, ship handling, boat work, technical aspects among other disciplines, while being exposed to the rigours of life at sea, so as to earn their 'sea legs', a naval spokesperson said.

The Southern Naval Command (SNC) is the Training Command of the Indian Navy, which provides both basic and advanced training to its officers and sailors.

The Indian Navy has also been providing training to personnel from friendly foreign countries for over four decades, wherein more than 13,000 personnel from more than 40 countries have been trained.

India and Thailand have a close, long-standing relationship covering a wide spectrum of activities and interactions, which have strengthened over the years.

The present deployment of the Training Squadron to Phuket provides opportunities for extensive maritime engagement, maintenance of good order at sea and further cementing of the close relations between the two nations and the two navies, the Indian Navy said in a statement.