Indian Navy conducts simultaneous drills across Europe, Africa and Pacific, showcasing global reach
Indian warships are carrying out back-to-back exercises with allies in Europe, Africa and the Russian Pacific, while the sail-training vessel INS Sudarshini pursues a goodwill voyage.
Over the past weeks the Indian Navy has staged a series of overlapping deployments that span three continents. INS Trishul conducted the UK-led Exercise Konkan-26 alongside HMS Sutherland near Plymouth, followed by a scheduled visit to Lisbon for joint training with the Portuguese Navy, and earlier took part in France’s Exercise Varuna with French frigates Forbin and La Fayette, the submarine Suffren and maritime patrol aircraft.
In South Africa, INS Tarkash joined the ninth India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime (IBSAMAR) exercise after arriving at Simon’s Town, while INS Sahyadri sailed to Vladivostok for the INDRA-2026 bilateral drills with the Russian navy. The navy’s operational role was highlighted during the West Asia crisis, when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised its effort to escort Indian-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz under Operation Urja Suraksha.
Meanwhile, the three-masted training ship INS Sudarshini continued its Lokayan-26 voyage, having departed Salalah, Oman, after engagements with the Royal Navy of Oman. These activities reflect India’s MAHASAGAR vision of sustained maritime cooperation and security across key sea lanes.
Why it matters
The deployments demonstrate India’s expanding naval presence and diplomatic ties across vital global shipping routes.
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