MARITIME PARTNERSHIP EXERCISE

Source: PIB

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Context

• On 30 July 2024, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tabar and Russian Naval Ship (RNS) Soobrazitelny conducted a significant Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) following the participation of INS Tabar in the 328th Russian Navy Day Parade in St. Petersburg, Russia.

 Details

Key Objectives

• Strengthen Bilateral Relations: Enhance the maritime cooperation and explore new avenues for bolstering the relationship between India and Russia.
• Improve Interoperability: Conduct complex naval maneuvers and drills to improve coordination and operational synergy between the two navies.
• Demonstrate Professionalism: Showcase the high levels of professionalism and capability of both navies through various naval exercises.

Activities and Exercises

The key activities included:

• Communication Drills: Enhancing maritime communication protocols for better operational coordination.
• Search & Rescue (SAR) Tactics: Practicing joint search and rescue operations to improve response in maritime emergencies.
• Replenishment at Sea (RAS) Serials: Conducting replenishment maneuvers to ensure sustained naval operations.
• Complex Naval Maneuvers: Performing intricate maneuvers to test and improve tactical capabilities.

Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX)

• Maritime Partnership Exercise is a series of multilateral naval exercises conducted by the Indian Navy in collaboration with the naval forces of various foreign countries.
• These exercises are part of India's ongoing efforts to enhance operational capabilities, strengthen partnerships with friendly nations, and promote regional stability and security.

Objectives

• Enhance Interoperability: Improve coordination and operational synergy among participating navies.
• Strengthen Bilateral and Multilateral Ties: Foster strong maritime relationships and explore new avenues of cooperation.
• Improve Readiness and Preparedness: Train naval personnel in a broad spectrum of skills and competencies to effectively respond to various operational scenarios.

Key Participations and Exercises

Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX)	Location	Date	Participants	Activities
India-France-UAE MPX (2023)	Gulf of Oman	7-8 June 2023	INS Tarkash (India), FS Surcouf (France), UAE Navy Dash-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft	Surface warfare, missile engagement drills, helicopter cross-deck landing operations, advanced air defense exercises, boarding operations, cross-embarkation of personnel
India-Australia MPX (2022)	Bay of Bengal	2-3 November 2022	HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Anzac (Australia), INS Jalashwa, INS Kavaratti (India)	Tactical maneuvers, helicopter landings, amphibious operations
India-Bahrain MPX (2021)	Persian Gulf	18 August 2021	INS Kochi (India), Bahraini Navy	Joint naval operations, coordination and operational planning
India-Egypt MPX (2021)	Mediterranean Sea	5 September 2021	INS Tabar (India), ENS Alexandria (Egypt)	Maneuvers, interception operations, communication protocols, replenishment at sea drills
India-Japan MPX (2022-2023)	Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea	Various dates in 2022-2023	Various ships including INS Shivalik, INS Kadmatt (India), JS Uraga, JS Hirado (Japan)	Seamanship activities, aircraft operations, tactical maneuvers, cross-deck landings, joint exercises
India-Italy MPX (2021)	Tyrrhenian Sea	4-5 July 2021	INS Tabar (India), ITS Antonio Marceglia (Italy)	Air defense protocols, replenishment procedures, communication exercises, cross-deck helicopter operations
India-Indonesia MPX (2023)	Jakarta	July 2023	INS Sahyadri, INS Kolkata (India), Indonesian Navy	Professional engagements, joint yoga sessions, sports competitions, cross-deck visits
India-Kenya MPX (2023)	Mombasa	20 June 2023	INS Sunayna (India), Kenyan Navy	Firefighting, damage control, boarding maneuvers, simulations of asymmetric threats
India-Malaysia MPX (2022)	Port Klang	27 August 2022	INS Sumedha (India), Royal Malaysian Navy	Professional interactions, subject matter expert exchanges, cross-deck visits

 INS Tabar (F44)

• Class & Type: Talwar-class frigate
• Commissioned: 19 April 2004
• Builder: Baltiysky Zavod, Russia
• Role: Multi-role frigate designed for a range of operations including anti-submarine warfare, anti-aircraft warfare, and anti-surface warfare.
• Speed: 30 knots (56 km/h)
• Range: 4,850 nautical miles at 14 knots

Notable Operations

• Anti-Piracy Missions: INS Tabar has been actively involved in anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia, successfully thwarting several pirate attacks and ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels.
• International Exercises: Participated in numerous bilateral and multilateral naval exercises, enhancing interoperability and cooperation with other navies.
• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): Played a significant role in providing aid during natural disasters and evacuations, showcasing its versatility beyond combat operations.

Sources:

Context

• On 30 July 2024, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tabar and Russian Naval Ship (RNS) Soobrazitelny conducted a significant Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) following the participation of INS Tabar in the 328th Russian Navy Day Parade in St. Petersburg, Russia.

 Details

Key Objectives

• Strengthen Bilateral Relations: Enhance the maritime cooperation and explore new avenues for bolstering the relationship between India and Russia.
• Improve Interoperability: Conduct complex naval maneuvers and drills to improve coordination and operational synergy between the two navies.
• Demonstrate Professionalism: Showcase the high levels of professionalism and capability of both navies through various naval exercises.

Activities and Exercises

The key activities included:

• Communication Drills: Enhancing maritime communication protocols for better operational coordination.
• Search & Rescue (SAR) Tactics: Practicing joint search and rescue operations to improve response in maritime emergencies.
• Replenishment at Sea (RAS) Serials: Conducting replenishment maneuvers to ensure sustained naval operations.
• Complex Naval Maneuvers: Performing intricate maneuvers to test and improve tactical capabilities.

Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX)

• Maritime Partnership Exercise is a series of multilateral naval exercises conducted by the Indian Navy in collaboration with the naval forces of various foreign countries.
• These exercises are part of India's ongoing efforts to enhance operational capabilities, strengthen partnerships with friendly nations, and promote regional stability and security.

Objectives

• Enhance Interoperability: Improve coordination and operational synergy among participating navies.
• Strengthen Bilateral and Multilateral Ties: Foster strong maritime relationships and explore new avenues of cooperation.
• Improve Readiness and Preparedness: Train naval personnel in a broad spectrum of skills and competencies to effectively respond to various operational scenarios.

Key Participations and Exercises

Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX)	Location	Date	Participants	Activities
India-France-UAE MPX (2023)	Gulf of Oman	7-8 June 2023	INS Tarkash (India), FS Surcouf (France), UAE Navy Dash-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft	Surface warfare, missile engagement drills, helicopter cross-deck landing operations, advanced air defense exercises, boarding operations, cross-embarkation of personnel
India-Australia MPX (2022)	Bay of Bengal	2-3 November 2022	HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Anzac (Australia), INS Jalashwa, INS Kavaratti (India)	Tactical maneuvers, helicopter landings, amphibious operations
India-Bahrain MPX (2021)	Persian Gulf	18 August 2021	INS Kochi (India), Bahraini Navy	Joint naval operations, coordination and operational planning
India-Egypt MPX (2021)	Mediterranean Sea	5 September 2021	INS Tabar (India), ENS Alexandria (Egypt)	Maneuvers, interception operations, communication protocols, replenishment at sea drills
India-Japan MPX (2022-2023)	Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea	Various dates in 2022-2023	Various ships including INS Shivalik, INS Kadmatt (India), JS Uraga, JS Hirado (Japan)	Seamanship activities, aircraft operations, tactical maneuvers, cross-deck landings, joint exercises
India-Italy MPX (2021)	Tyrrhenian Sea	4-5 July 2021	INS Tabar (India), ITS Antonio Marceglia (Italy)	Air defense protocols, replenishment procedures, communication exercises, cross-deck helicopter operations
India-Indonesia MPX (2023)	Jakarta	July 2023	INS Sahyadri, INS Kolkata (India), Indonesian Navy	Professional engagements, joint yoga sessions, sports competitions, cross-deck visits
India-Kenya MPX (2023)	Mombasa	20 June 2023	INS Sunayna (India), Kenyan Navy	Firefighting, damage control, boarding maneuvers, simulations of asymmetric threats
India-Malaysia MPX (2022)	Port Klang	27 August 2022	INS Sumedha (India), Royal Malaysian Navy	Professional interactions, subject matter expert exchanges, cross-deck visits

 INS Tabar (F44)

• Class & Type: Talwar-class frigate
• Commissioned: 19 April 2004
• Builder: Baltiysky Zavod, Russia
• Role: Multi-role frigate designed for a range of operations including anti-submarine warfare, anti-aircraft warfare, and anti-surface warfare.
• Speed: 30 knots (56 km/h)
• Range: 4,850 nautical miles at 14 knots

Notable Operations

• Anti-Piracy Missions: INS Tabar has been actively involved in anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia, successfully thwarting several pirate attacks and ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels.
• International Exercises: Participated in numerous bilateral and multilateral naval exercises, enhancing interoperability and cooperation with other navies.
• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): Played a significant role in providing aid during natural disasters and evacuations, showcasing its versatility beyond combat operations.

 Sources:

PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION Q: Consider the following statements about INS Tabar: INS Tabar is a Talwar-class frigate of the Indian Navy. It primarily operates in anti-submarine warfare. INS Tabar participated in the joint maritime exercise "Indra" with the Russian Navy. Which of the above statements is/are correct? Options: A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2, and 3 Answer: C.