The Indian Navy has joined Iran and Russia and Participated in two-day long navy exercise “Iran-Russia Maritime Security Belt 2021” on February 17-18, 2021 which was held in the northern part of the Indian Ocean. India’s participation represented a message of “peace and friendship for neighboring and regional countries”.
- The exercise saw the participation of forces and vessels from the navy divisions of both the Iranian army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) along with a Russian destroyer, logistics ship and a helicopter were to participate in the drill.
Purpose of Exercise:
To enhance security of international maritime trade, confront maritime piracy and terrorism, and exchange information.
India’s Participation:
Indian Navy was commanded by Gholamreza Tahani. Indian Navy joined the naval exercise with a select group of vessels.
Key Points:
–The drill covered an area of 17,000 square kilometres (6,500 square miles) which include shooting at sea and air targets and liberating hijacked ships, as well as search and rescue and anti-piracy operations.
–Exercises included “liberating a commercial ship abducted by pirates”, and fighting fires.
Future Enhancement:
Hossein Khanzadi, Commander of the Iranian Navy announced that, China is set to join after the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Additional Info:
–This is the second joint Russian-Iranian naval exercise since December 2019.
–Iran and China also participated in military exercises held in Russia in September 2020.
Recent Related News:
i.The Indian Navy conducted an Joint Tri-Service Amphibious Military Exercise ‘AMPHEX-21’ in Andaman & Nicobar group of Islands from January 21-25, 2021. Defence Exercise ‘KAVACH’ for defence of Andaman & Nicobar Islands was also a part of AMPHEX-21 exercise.
ii.On November 7, 2020, Phase 1 of the 24th Edition of the Four-nation Naval Exercise Malabar 2020 took place in the Bay of Bengal from November 3-6, 2020.
About Indian Navy:
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)– Admiral Karambir Singh
Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Navy)– New Delhi
About Iran:
Capital– Tehran
Currency– Iranian rial
