INS Tamal Concludes Port Call at Naples and Casablanca

INS Tamal, the latest stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, called at Naples, Italy, from 13-16 August 2025 during her return passage to India. The visit underscored the strong bilateral relations between the two nations, which were formally elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2023.

INS Tamal participated in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with ITS Trieste, the recently commissioned Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) of the Italian Navy, prior entering harbour at Naples. Joint operations during the PASSEX included communication exercises, manoeuvres and flying operations and exchange of sea riders, finally culminating in a steam past.

During the port call at Naples, the ship engaged in a range of activities focused on furthering defence cooperation and collaboration between India and Italy. Bilateral discussions with senior military and local officials, as well as professional exchanges, were the highlights of the visit. The Commanding Officer called on Vice Admiral Pierpaolo Budri, Chief of Staff of the Logistics Command of the Italian Navy and Laura Lieto, deputy Mayor of Naples. Both sides discussed various initiatives under the India-Italy Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029.

INS Tamal and the Embassy of India in Rome also hosted a cultural programme onboard.

The port call by INS Tamal reflects the importance India attaches to its relations with Italy and the endeavour to strengthen the growing defence cooperation between the two nations. Post her departure from Naples on 16 August 2025, the ship visited other European and Asian ports en route to her home base in India.

One of her stops before Italy was in Casablanca, Morocco, from 6-9 August 2025. INS Tamal is the third Indian Naval ship in the last two years to visit Casablanca.

During the three-day port call, the ship engaged in a host of activities focused on furthering cooperation and collaboration between the two navies. Bilateral discussions with senior military officials, cross deck visits, sports fixtures, yoga and cultural exchanges by both sides in honour of Indo-Moroccan relations were conducted as part of the port call.

On departure from Casablanca, the ship undertook a Passage Exercise with Royal Moroccan Navy Ship Mohammed VI.

The port call at Casablanca is indicative of the importance India attaches to its relations with Morocco and the endeavour to strengthen the growing defence cooperation between the two nations. It also provided an opportunity for both navies to share best practices and explore new avenues of cooperation.