**INS Sahyadri Arrives in South Korea for First-Ever Bilateral Naval Exercise with Republic of Korea Navy**
INS Sahyadri arrived at Busan Naval Harbour in South Korea to participate in the first-ever bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN), according to an official statement issued by the Defence PRO on Wednesday.
This visit forms part of INS Sahyadri’s ongoing operational deployment to the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific region, aimed at enhancing defence cooperation and strengthening maritime partnerships.
The Republic of Korea Navy extended a warm welcome to the Indian warship, underscoring the growing strategic partnership between India and South Korea, especially in the naval domain.
INS Sahyadri is a stealth frigate built in India under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and was commissioned in 2012. It is an integral part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet, based in Visakhapatnam, and has actively participated in various international naval exercises.
During its stay at Busan, the crew of INS Sahyadri will take part in both harbour and sea phases of the exercise. The harbour phase includes cross-deck visits between the two navies, sharing of best practices, joint training sessions, and friendly sports matches. Additionally, the Commanding Officer of INS Sahyadri will meet with senior RoKN officials and local dignitaries.
Following the harbour phase, INS Sahyadri and the South Korean ship ROKS Gyeongnam will head out to sea for joint exercises, focusing on teamwork, coordination, and mutual learning between the two navies.
This exercise emphasizes the increasing importance of the Indo-Pacific region and reflects the shared commitment of India and South Korea to peace, security, and maritime cooperation.
The official statement noted that the inaugural bilateral exercise is the culmination of several years of discussions and planning, marking a new chapter in defence ties between India and South Korea.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/indian-and-south-korean-navies-begin-first-ever-bilateral-naval-exercise-ins-sahyadri-joins-23598869
