Maritime cooperation: India and Oman conduct bilateral naval exercise 'Naseem Al Bahr'

NEW DELHI: India and Oman will conduct 10th edition of bilateral maritime exercise 'Naseem Al Bahr' in the Arabian Sea from January 22 to January 27, 2016. Two Oman Navy ships RNOV Al-Shamikh and RNOV Al-Seeb, which will also participate in IFR 2016, entered the port of Goa Friday morning. These ships are on their way to participate in the International Fleet Review scheduled at Visakhapatnam scheduled from February 4 to February 9, 2016.

"Naseem Al Bahr epitomises the strong long term strategic relationship between the two countries. Initiated in 1993, the exercise has matured over the years with increasing scope, complexity of operations and level of participation," said a Ministry of Defence press release.

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In pic: An Omani warship

Both the countries aim to increase interoperability amongst the two navies and develop common understanding and procedures for maritime security operations.

The scope of Naseem Al Bahr 2016 includes wide-ranging professional interactions during the Harbour Phase and a diverse canvas of operational activities at sea across the spectrum of maritime operations, said the press release.

During the exercise, the Indian Navy will be represented by INS Trikand and INS Trishul. In addition, Fast Attack Craft, Maritime Patrol Aircraft and integral helicopters are scheduled to participate in the bilateral exercise. The Omani Navy will be represented by RNOV Al-Shamikh, a Corvette and RNOV Al-Seeb, a Fast Attack Craft.

The exercise will be progressed in two phases. First will be Harbour Phase which will be conducted from January 22 to January 24 at Goa and second will be Sea Phase which will be conducted from January 24 to 27, 2016 off the Goa coast.