The Indian Navy is set to deploy ships of its First Training Squadron to South East Asia as part of a long-range training deployment, underlining India’s sustained maritime engagement with countries in the region and its emphasis on professional naval training and maritime diplomacy.

According to officials, three naval ships—INS Tir, INS Shardul and INS Sujata—along with the Indian Coast Guard ship Sarathi, will participate in the deployment. The voyage forms an integral component of the training curriculum for officer trainees of the Navy’s 110th Integrated Officers’ Training Course.

Focus on Training Excellence and Maritime Diplomacy

The Ministry of Defence said the long-range training deployment reflects the Indian Navy’s dual focus on training excellence and strengthening international maritime cooperation. While the primary objective remains the professional development of young officers, the deployment also contributes to India’s broader goals of maritime diplomacy, goodwill-building and regional security cooperation.

“The long-range training deployment underscores the Navy’s emphasis on training excellence while contributing to maritime diplomacy, goodwill and a cooperative approach to regional maritime security,” the ministry said in an official statement.

Such deployments have long been a cornerstone of the Indian Navy’s training philosophy, allowing officer trainees to gain real-world operational exposure while familiarising themselves with diverse maritime environments and international naval practices.

Planned Port Calls in South East Asia

As part of the deployment, the First Training Squadron is scheduled to undertake port calls at Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. These visits are expected to serve as platforms for extensive professional engagement with host navies and maritime agencies.

During the port calls, a wide range of activities are planned, including structured training exchanges, cross-deck visits, interactions with subject matter experts and joint maritime partnership exercises. These engagements are designed to enhance interoperability between navies, promote the exchange of best practices at sea and deepen mutual trust and understanding.

Officials said such interactions also provide young officers with valuable exposure to different naval doctrines, operational procedures and cultural contexts, helping them develop a broader and more nuanced understanding of regional maritime dynamics.

International and Tri-Service Participation

The 110th Integrated Officers’ Training Course includes six international officer trainees, highlighting the Indian Navy’s continued commitment to capacity building and professional training of personnel from friendly foreign nations. The presence of international trainees reflects India’s growing role as a regional hub for defence training and cooperation.

In addition to naval trainees, personnel from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force have also embarked for the deployment. This tri-service participation is aimed at strengthening jointness and inter-service cohesiveness, a key priority for India’s armed forces in recent years.

Officials noted that such integrated deployments help future leaders of the armed forces develop a joint operational outlook early in their careers, which is increasingly important in modern, multi-domain military operations.

Alignment with India’s Act East Policy

The defence ministry said the deployment is aligned with India’s Act East Policy and its vision for a free, open and inclusive Indian Ocean Region. By engaging closely with South East Asian nations, the Indian Navy aims to reinforce India’s commitment to regional stability, freedom of navigation and a rules-based maritime order.

“The deployment is aimed at providing comprehensive operational and cross-cultural exposure to officer trainees, while reinforcing India’s sustained maritime engagement with South East Asian nations in consonance with India’s Act East Policy,” the ministry said.

India has steadily expanded its naval outreach in South East Asia over the past decade, viewing the region as a critical partner in maintaining maritime security and ensuring the safety of sea lanes that are vital to global trade and energy flows.

Building Trust and Interoperability at Sea

Officials emphasised that the planned engagements during the deployment go beyond symbolic port visits. Joint exercises, professional discussions and training activities are intended to build practical cooperation and operational compatibility between the Indian Navy and regional maritime forces.

“These engagements are designed to further enhance interoperability, mutual trust and understanding, while promoting the exchange of best practices at sea,” the ministry said.

Through such sustained interactions, the Indian Navy seeks to position itself as a reliable and collaborative maritime partner in the Indo-Pacific, contributing to collective efforts to address common challenges such as maritime safety, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and non-traditional security threats.

Overall, the long-range training deployment of the First Training Squadron is expected to play a significant role in shaping the next generation of Indian naval officers, while simultaneously strengthening India’s maritime ties with South East Asia and reinforcing its broader strategic vision for the region.