Navy sends ship to Tanzania, aims to expand presence in IOR

The Indian Navy has sent a ship to Tanzania for a hydrographic survey as part of its efforts to expand its presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

INS Sarvekshak today reached Dar-es-Salaam, a major city and commercial port of Tanzania.

It will undertake a "pioneer survey" of Pemba Island, which will include surveys of the Port of Wesha and Kiuyo and Pemba Channel in Tanzania, Navy spokesperson Capt D K Sharma said.

After completing the survey in the waters of the African nation, the ship will proceed to Port Louis in Mauritius in December for a survey of the Grand Port.

Sharma said the ship has been sent to Tanzania as part of the Indian Navy's initiative to bolster bilateral relations with friendly foreign countries and navies in the Indian Ocean region.

"The joint survey will be conducted with the naval personnel of Tanzania who have been trained in India," he said.

INS Sarvekshak is a specialised survey ship of the Indian Navy and is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment like deep sea multi beam echo sounder system, side scan sonars and a fully automated digital surveying and processing system.

In addition, the ship carries a Chetak helicopter which would be extensively deployed during the survey.