The Indian Navy is hosting the fifth edition of the Indo-Indonesian Joint Bilateral Maritime Exercise, Samudra Shakti 2025, at Visakhapatnam from 14–17 October 2025. The exercise aims to enhance naval cooperation and strengthen strategic ties between India and Indonesia, reaffirming their shared commitment to peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Exercise Overview:
Samudra Shakti is a biennial naval exercise that brings together India’s INS Kavaratti, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette, and Indonesia’s KRI John Lie, a Corvette equipped with an onboard helicopter. Conducted under India’s Eastern Naval Command, the exercise includes both harbour and sea phases focusing on operational coordination and camaraderie.
Harbour and Sea Phase Highlights:
The harbour phase features professional and cultural exchanges, including Cross Deck Visits, Joint Yoga sessions, friendly sports matches, and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) to share tactical insights.
The sea phase includes advanced maritime operations such as Helicopter Operations, Air Defence Exercises, Weapon Firing Drills, and Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations to enhance interoperability and combat readiness.
Strategic Importance:
Samudra Shakti 2025 highlights the growing strategic partnership between India and Indonesia, contributing to a secure and rules-based Indo-Pacific. It supports joint efforts to tackle challenges like piracy, trafficking, and maritime terrorism, while ensuring the safety of vital sea lanes that sustain global trade.
