The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS)—comprising INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and ICGS Sarathi—has commenced a Long Range Training Deployment (LRTD) to Southeast Asia as part of the curriculum of the 110th Integrated Officers’ Training Course (IOTC), the Ministry of Defence said.
As part of the deployment, the squadron will undertake port calls at Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand, providing officer trainees with extensive operational, professional, and cross-cultural exposure. The deployment also reinforces India’s sustained maritime engagement with Southeast Asian nations in line with the Act East Policy and India’s vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indian Ocean Region.
Training, Interoperability and Maritime Engagement
During the port visits, a wide range of professional interactions are planned with host navies and maritime agencies. These include structured training exchanges, cross-deck visits, interactions with subject-matter experts, and Joint Maritime Partnership exercises. The engagements are aimed at enhancing interoperability, building mutual trust, and promoting the exchange of best practices at sea.
Multinational and Tri-Service Participation
The 110th IOTC includes six international officer trainees from friendly foreign nations, reflecting the Indian Navy’s commitment to capacity building and professional military education. In addition, personnel from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force are embarked on the deployment, further strengthening tri-service jointness and integration.
Strategic Significance
The Long Range Training Deployment highlights the Indian Navy’s focus on training excellence while advancing maritime diplomacy, goodwill, and cooperative regional security. By combining rigorous training with multinational engagement, the deployment contributes to deeper maritime partnerships and enhanced stability across Southeast Asia and the wider Indian Ocean Region.
