Navy bilateral exercise Samudra Shakti inaugurated in Surabaya

Visakhapatnam: The maiden Indian Navy-Indonesian Navy bilateral exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’ was inaugurated at Surabaya here on Wednesday. The aim of the exercise is to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance maritime cooperation between the two countries.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Rear Admiral Alok Bhatnagar NM, Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA), Rear Admiral Mintoro Yulianto, Commander-in-Chief of the Second Fleet Command, Commanding Officers of participating ships and his excellency PK Rawat, Ambassador of India to Indonesia and East Timor.

Rear Adm Bhatnagar, called-on Rear Admiral Mintoro Yulianto, Commander-in-Chief of the Second Fleet Command, at Surabaya Indonesia at the Headquarters of the Second Fleet Command and held discussion with Indonesian Navy delegates.

INS Rana (D52), a Rajput class destroyer with integral helicopter of the Indian Navy and KRI Sultan Iskander Muda (367), a Corvette and one CN 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft from Indonesian Navy are participating in the inaugural edition of 'Samdura Shakti' scheduled from November 13 to 18.  As part of the Harbour phase, Command teams from IN and IDN attended the planning conference and held discussion on activities during sea phase.