KOCHI: | Indian Navy celebrated the successful completion of its landmark IOS SAGAR deployment as INS Sunayna was flagged-in at Kochi with a traditional water cannon salute.
The extensive multinational deployment, which began on April 2, 2026, brought together 38 naval personnel from 16 partner nations in a powerful demonstration of India’s role as the “Preferred Security Partner” in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Key Highlights of the Mission
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The Coalition: The joint deployment included personnel from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Maldives, Mozambique, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and the UAE.
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Strategic Vision: Operating under the theme “One Ocean, One Mission,” the operation directly aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maritime doctrines: SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
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The Route: Flagged off from Mumbai by Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth, the offshore patrol vessel undertook critical port calls at Malé, Phuket, Jakarta, Singapore, Yangon, Chattogram, and Colombo.
Operational Impact and Training
The deployment focused heavily on building a coordinated response mechanism to counter non-traditional maritime threats such as piracy, illegal fishing, arms and narcotics trafficking, and smuggling.
High-Value Drills: The multinational crew engaged in passage exercises, cross-deck interactions, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), and advanced seamanship evolutions.
Pre-Deployment Preparation: Prior to setting sail, the crew underwent intense harbor training at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi, mastering VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) operations, firefighting, and advanced bridgemanship. They also participated in the IONS Maritime Exercise (IMEX 2026) Table Top Exercise.
Welcoming the crew, Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, commended the crew’s seamless integration, emphasizing that operational synergy is vital to ensuring a rules-based, secure, and prosperous maritime environment in the IOR.
