Why in news? INS Kavaratti, indigenously designed & built ASW Corvette, arrived at Batam, Indonesia to participate in the 4th edition of India-Indonesia Bilateral exercise Samudra Shakti-23.
Highlights:
• An Indian Navy Dornier Maritime Patrol aircraft and Chetak helicopter is also participating.
• The Indonesian Navy will be represented by KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda, CN 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and AS565 Panther Helicopter.
• The Harbour phase will comprise Cross deck visits, professional Interactions, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, and sports fixtures.
• During the Sea Phase, weapon firing, Helicopter Operations, Anti-submarine warfare & air defence exercises and boarding operations are planned.
• Samudra Shakti -23 will showcase the high level of interoperability between the two navies and their shared commitment towards peace and stability in the region.
About Samudra Shakti:
• In pursuance of India’s Act East Policy, Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’ was conceived in 2018 as a bilateral IN-IDN exercise.
• Exercise Samudra Shakti is aimed at enhancing interoperability, jointness and mutual cooperation between both the navies.
Other Exercises between India and Indonesia:
• IND-INDO CORPAT: A maritime exercise.
• Garuda Shakti: A joint military exercise.