CUTLASS EXPRESS 24

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Context

INS Tir, the lead ship of First Training Squadron (1TS) participated in Exercise Cutlass Express - 24 (CE–24).

Details

Exercise Cutlass Express – 24

• The exercise held at Port Victoria, Seychelles from 26 Feb – 08 Mar 24.
• The exercise was inaugurated by the President of Seychelles in attendance of dignitaries from India, USA and African countries.
• As part of Cutlass Express, the Indian Navy actively engaged with participants from 16 friendly foreign countries.
• Training was conducted on theoretical and practical aspects of Maritime Interdiction Operations, Visit Board Search and Seizure procedures and Diving operations.
• During the sea phase, the ship's VBSS team boarded Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) ship LE Vigilant and demonstrated procedures of boarding operations.
• Indian divers along with US and Seychelles divers undertook joint diving operations post rigorous training week. The Indian Navy has been participating in the exercise since 2019.
• Earlier INS Tir undertook joint EEZ surveillance with Seychelles Coast Guard from 01 – 03 Mar 24.
• During the ship's stay at Seychelles, as part of long-range training deployment, professional exchanges, cross deck visits and friendly sports fixtures were held with Seychelles Defence Forces.
• The extant deployment of INS Tir at Seychelles and participation in exercise Cutlass Express underscores close ties between Indian Navy and the regional Navies towards joint training fostering interoperability and building bridges of friendship.

INS Tir

• INS Tir, an indigenously built cadet training ship based at SNC, Kochi.
• Built by MDL, ship has rendered yeoman service in training more than 4000 officer trainees of Indian Navy and Friendly Foreign Countries.
• INS Tir joined First Training Squadron on 01 April 1986.
• Towards enhancing maritime diplomacy and long range training deployment, ship has traversed more than 6,00,000 nm and visited over 25 foreign countries.