India and Oman Conduct Joint Naval Drill ‘Naseem Al Bahr’ off Goa

The India-Oman bilateral naval exercise Naseem-Al-Bahr, held from October 13 to 18, 2024, off the coast of Goa, featured the participation of the Indian Navy’s INS Trikand and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, alongside the Royal Navy of Oman’s vessel Al Seeb. The exercise was conducted in two phases.

Key Phases and Activities

Harbour Phase (October 13-15, 2024)

• Personnel from both navies engaged in professional interactions through Subject Matter Expert Exchanges and planning conferences.
• A range of sports fixtures and social engagements were organized to promote camaraderie and collaboration.

Sea Phase (October 16-18, 2024)

• Participating vessels, INS Trikand and RNOV Al Seeb, conducted a series of naval maneuvers:
• Gun firings at surface inflatable targets.
• Close-range anti-aircraft firings for operational readiness.
• Replenishment at Sea Approaches (RASAPS) to practice logistical coordination.

1. Helicopter operations from INS Trikand included cross-deck landings and vertical replenishment (VERTREP) with RNOV Al Seeb.
2. The Indian Navy’s Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft provided Over-the-Horizon Targeting (OTHT) data, improving targeting precision.
3. Indian Navy Sea Riders embarked on RNOV Al Seeb for a day to further enhance interoperability and share best practices.

Outcomes of the Exercise

The exercise was a resounding success, achieving its main objectives,

• Enhanced interoperability between the Indian and Omani navies.
• Strengthened mutual understanding of each other’s tactics and operational best practices.
• Fostered cohesion through professional and social interactions, boosting the collaborative spirit.

Strategic Importance

• This joint exercise reaffirms India’s commitment to regional cooperation and mutual growth with like-minded nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• It further emphasizes India’s role in promoting maritime security, constructive collaboration, and strengthening ties with Oman.

Key Aspects of India-Oman Defence Cooperation

Strategic Partnership

• Oman is India’s closest defense partner in the Gulf region, with defense cooperation being a key pillar of the broader India-Oman relationship.

Joint Exercises

• Oman is the first Gulf country with which all three wings of India’s defense forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force—hold joint exercises.

Maritime Security

• India and Oman’s defense cooperation focuses on maintaining security and stability in the Indian Ocean Region, a strategically vital area for both nations.