INS Rana in Indonesia for Exercise Samudra Shakti

The exercise is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, expanding maritime co-operation, enhancing interoperability and exchanging best practices.

Indian Navy’s Rajput class destroyer INS Rana has arrived at Indonesia’s Surabaya port to take part in the inaugural edition of Indian Navy – Indonesian Navy Bilateral Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’ scheduled from 12 to 18 November 2018.

The exercise is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, expanding maritime co-operation, enhancing interoperability and exchanging best practices.

The exercise will begin with the first phase titled Harbour Phase in which encompassing planning and briefing on various activities, professional interactions, cross deck visits, sports fixtures and social interactions will be carried out. The Harbour Phase will last from 12 to 15 November.




This will be followed by a Sea Phase that will focus on operations such as Joint Manoeuvres, Helicopter Operations, Surface Warfare exercises, ASW exercises and Anti-Piracy exercises. This phase is to be held from 16 to 18 November.

During PM Modi’s visit to Indonesia in May 2018 the strategic partnership between the two nations was elevated to ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’. Defence cooperation is a vital pillar in this strategic partnership.

INS Rana’s visit to seeks to promote India’s solidarity with Indonesia towards ensuring peace and security in the maritime domain and to strengthen existing bonds between the navies of the two nations.