INS Dega conducts mock anti-hijack exercise at Vizag airport

Visakhapatnam: To test the efficacy of the contingency plan and procedures to deal with hijack threats, INS Dega conducted a mock anti-hijack exercise at Visakhapatnam airport on Thursday. The exercise involved various agencies, including Marine Commandos, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the Airport Authority of India, and state government agencies.

An Indian Naval Dornier aircraft was used to simulate a mock situation to initiate coordinated actions by all stakeholders from the Navy, airport, and other Central and state agencies during the anti-hijack exercise. On completion of the exercise, debrief was conducted and standard operating procedures were revalidated to effectively deal with future contingencies.

The mock anti-hijack drill is conducted at every Indian airport annually as mandated by the National Civil Aviation Security Program with an aim to test the efficiency of the airport's contingency plan and to familiarise all agencies with their respective responsibilities in a hijack situation.

Indian Navy ships in Japan for international fleet review

Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kamorta arrived at Yokosuka, Japan to participate in the International Fleet Review (IFR) scheduled at Sagami Bay off Yokosuka on 6 November. The IFR marks the 70th anniversary of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF). The International Fleet Review will be reviewed by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and will include the participation of 40 ships and submarines from 13 countries.

26th edition of Exercise Malabar-22

On completion, the Indian Navy ships will participate in the 26th edition of Exercise Malabar-22 with ships from the navies of Australia, Japan, and the USA. Malabar series of maritime exercises commenced in 1992 and has grown in complexity over the years. It includes four prominent navies in the Indo-Pacific Region. Malabar-22 will witness high-tempo exercises between participating platforms in multiple domains. Complex surface, sub-surface and air operations, including live firing drills, are scheduled during the exercise.

Rear Adm. Sanjay Bhalla, flag officer commanding Eastern Fleet, will have operational discussions with commander, US Seventh Fleet and Commander Escort Force 3 (JMSDF) as part of Malabar-22.

The participating Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kamorta are indigenously designed and developed multi-role Guided Missile Stealth Frigate and Anti–Submarine Corvette, respectively and form part of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam.