Indian Coast Guard Ship in UAE for Joint Training Exercises

The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Vikram is on a goodwill visit to the UAE, and will be conducting joint training exercises with the UAE Coast Guard.

Simulated search and rescue operations, law enforcement, and activities regarding safety of life and property at sea are some of the training activities that the ICG will undertake with the UAE coastal protection authorities.

Vikram, the first of its class of seven Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) from India, arrived in the UAE on Friday, and will be berthed in Dubai’s Rashid Port till Monday. The OPV is currently on a pan-GCC tour that started in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The vessel’s next destination is Muscat, Oman.

Commanding officer of ICGS Vikram, Raj Kamal Sinha told Khaleej Times, “This particular vessel is only eight months old and was commissioned on April 11 this year. This is its maiden tour outside of Indian waters.”

He added, “The vessel has been designed indigenously and built by Larsen and Toubro Shipbuilding Ltd. and is fitted with the most advanced navigation and communication equipment, vital sensors and machineries.”

Smita Pant, Charge D’Affairs at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi said, “The ship is here at a very opportune moment as there has been forward momentum in each and every area of cooperation between India and UAE.”

On a side note, the commanding officer and the Group Captain Shoeb Kazmi, Defence Advisor, Indian Embassy said there have been several visits from ICGS vessels in the past few years, that have greatly benefitted India-UAE ties.

Furthermore, the commanding officer also said that since the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai, the coast guard and the Indian government has greatly bolstered coastal security.

Source: Khaleej Times

Image Courtesy:Jane’s