Indian and Norwegian Navies Engage in a Joint Exercise

INS Tabar, as part of the ongoing deployment, entered Bergen harbour on 5 August. The ship was received by the Liaison Officer of Royal Norwegian Navy and the Indian Defence Attaché. Chief of Royal Norwegian Naval Fleet, Commodore Trond Gimmingsrud, and the Deputy Harbour Master of Bergen Harbour, Christian Hafstad, visited the ship and interacted with the Commanding Officer on jetty as per prevailing Covid protocols. As per a statement from the Indian Navy, the Norwegian officials expressed their happiness on receiving an Indian warship and hoped to see more such similar engagements in future to consolidate the relations between the two countries.

On completion of port visit, in a landmark first for the Indian Navy, INS Tabar participated in a Maritime Partnership Exercise with Royal Norwegian Navy ship, HNoMS Storm, a Skjold class FAC (M) on 8 August. A range of operations like surface manoeuvres, Visit Board Search & Seizure exercise (VBSS) and vertical replenishment by helicopter were exercised. The exercise was mutually beneficial in enhancing interoperability and towards consolidating combined operations against maritime threats.