As part of their afloat training with the Indian Navy, 55 students from the King Fahd Naval Academy in Saudi Arabia, together with five members of the academy’s Directing Staff, have been assigned to the ships INS Tir and INS Sujata of the First Training Squadron.
The Chief of the Indian Navy, Admiral R. Hari Kumar, recently had the opportunity to meet the first group of cadets from the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), who are currently completing maritime training at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi.
As part of their afloat training with the Indian Navy, 55 students from the King Fahd Naval Academy in Saudi Arabia, together with five members of the academy’s Directing Staff, have been assigned to the ships INS Tir and INS Sujata of the First Training Squadron.
The Chief of Naval Operations was given an update on the progress made by the trainees over the course of the training period, as well as information on the current training activities in the port and at sea, including familiarisation sea missions.
Ten days at sea onboard Indian naval ships have been successfully completed by the cadets. Prior to beginning their time at sea, the cadets participated in training exercises that were conducted on simulators.
They were put through rigorous training on the practical aspects of navigation and seamanship while out on sea sorties. The training focused on coastal navigation, replenishment at sea, firefighting and emergency drills, sea boats, navigating in pilotage seas, and anchoring.
In order to acclimatise them to the rigours of life onboard a sailing ship, they will participate in a harbour training course that lasts for two days aboard the sail training ship INS Sudarshini.
In their conversation with Admiral R. Hari Kumar, the Directing Staff conveyed their gratitude for the high-quality training and experience they gained while serving aboard Indian Navy ships.
The RSNF mission was given a warm welcome in India by Admiral R. Hari Kumar. He stated that the first-ever training of Saudi cadets by the Indian Navy was evidence of the deepening friendship between Saudi Arabia and India, as well as the two countries’ respective navies.
During the recent evacuation of Indian nationals from Sudan, he expressed his gratitude to Saudi Arabia for the support that was provided. Admiral R. Hari Kumar emphasised that the joint exercises, staff discussions, and training exchanges with the RSNF have advanced successfully over the years and are a proof of the strong tie between the two fleets. He emphasised the close relations and cooperation that exist between the two fleets.
In addition to this, he brought up the fact that both nations hold comparable perspectives with respect to the safety of the oceans and work cooperatively and closely with one another to achieve this goal. He was referring to the efforts that are being made in the region.