MAIDEN INDIA-FRANCE-UAE MARITIME PARTNERSHIP EXERCISE

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The Gulf of Oman hosted the opening of the maiden India, France, and UAE Maritime Partnership Exercise on June 7. Participating in the drill are the French Ship Surcouf, the UAE Navy Maritime Patrol Aircraft, the French Rafale aircraft, and the INS Tarkash, both of which have integrated helicopters.

The two-day exercise will feature a variety of naval activities, including boarding operations, helicopter cross-deck landings, advanced air defence exercises, and surface warfare, which involves tactical shooting and drills for missile engagements on surface targets. The practise would also involve personnel crossing over to exchange best practises.

The first exercise aims to improve trilateral collaboration among the three navies and pave the path for formulating policies to counter both conventional and unconventional maritime threats. The exercise will also improve cooperation in ensuring the region’s high seas freedom of navigation and commercial traffic safety.