India-Bangladesh Conduct CORPAT and BONGOSAGAR In Bay of Bengal

The 6th edition of the Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) and the 4th edition of the bilateral exercise ‘BONGOSAGAR’ between the Indian Navy and the Bangladesh Navy commenced on March 10, 2025, and will continue until March 12, 2025. The naval exercises are being conducted in the designated maritime areas of the Bay of Bengal, near the Bangladesh and Indian maritime borders. These exercises are being held under the supervision of Commander Flotilla West and aim to enhance maritime security, strengthen cooperation, and combat various criminal activities at sea.

Background of India-Bangladesh Naval Exercises

India and Bangladesh have been conducting joint naval patrols and exercises since 2018, reflecting their strong maritime ties. These exercises serve as a key mechanism for enhancing regional maritime security and ensuring the safety of shared waters. Over the years, both nations have improved their ability to exchange intelligence, conduct coordinated maritime patrols, and enhance operational interoperability.

Previous Editions of CORPAT and BONGOSAGAR

• BONGOSAGAR-23 (4th edition) and CORPAT-23 (5th edition) were held in the Northern Bay of Bengal from November 7 to November 9, 2023.
• These included joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and various tactical exercises.
• A significant highlight was the maiden Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) drills, including a Search and Rescue (SAR) operation at sea.

Participating Naval Forces

The ongoing naval exercise features advanced warships and aerial assets from both nations:

Bangladesh Navy’s Participation

• Warship: BNS ABU UBAIDAH
• Aerial Support: A maritime patrol aircraft

Indian Navy’s Participation

• Warship: INS RANVIR
• Aerial Support: A helicopter

Objectives of CORPAT-25 and BONGOSAGAR-25

The primary objectives of these joint naval exercises are:

• Enhancing Maritime Security: The exercises focus on preventing criminal activities such as illegal fishing, smuggling, human trafficking, piracy, and drug trafficking.
• Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation: Both navies aim to improve coordination, enhance communication protocols, and develop seamless operational interoperability.
• Exchange of Intelligence and Surveillance Data: Through the joint patrols, both nations will share critical intelligence on maritime threats and conduct coordinated responses.
• Strategic Naval Drills: The exercises include communication drills, surface gun-shoots, tactical maneuvers, and formation sailing to improve combat readiness.
• Maritime Economy Development: By improving security in the Bay of Bengal, the exercise aims to safeguard economic activities such as shipping and fishing.

Key Activities and Drills Conducted

During BONGOSAGAR-25 and CORPAT-25, the participating forces engage in various naval exercises to enhance their capabilities:

1. Joint Maritime Patrolling

• Ships from both navies conduct coordinated patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) to detect suspicious activities and enforce maritime laws.

2. Tactical and Communication Drills

• Tactical maneuvers, formation sailing, and seamanship exercises are conducted to improve operational coordination.
• Communication drills help in enhancing real-time command and control capabilities.

3. Surface Gun-Shooting Exercises

• Warships perform live-fire drills to enhance their combat preparedness and target engagement accuracy.

4. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Operations

• A specialized Search and Rescue (SAR) operation is conducted to simulate emergency response at sea.
• The exercise focuses on disaster management cooperation between the two navies.

5. Anti-Smuggling and Counter-Piracy Operations

• The drills focus on detecting and intercepting illegal maritime activities such as smuggling and piracy.

Strategic Significance of the Exercises

1. Strengthening India-Bangladesh Defense Relations

• The joint exercises reaffirm the strong military and defense ties between India and Bangladesh.
• Regular naval cooperation fosters trust and interoperability between the two countries.

2. Enhancing Regional Maritime Security

• The Bay of Bengal is a vital economic and strategic region for both nations, requiring enhanced naval security.
• These exercises help in reducing threats from transnational maritime crimes.

3. Promoting Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region

• The increasing presence of external naval forces in the Indo-Pacific has made regional cooperation even more crucial.
• India and Bangladesh’s joint efforts help in maintaining regional peace and security.

Summary of the News