A four-day multinational maritime security training engagement, Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, concluded at Kochi on July 23, bringing together 276 personnel from 27 countries, along with 76 facilitators and subject matter experts.
Conducted by the Indian Navy in partnership with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the engagement was held under the aegis of Southern Naval Command and the Indian Navy-led Combined Task Force 154.
The programme focused on key areas of maritime security, including Maritime Domain Awareness, information sharing, maritime law, counter-narcotics operations, force protection, asymmetric threats, maritime uncrewed systems and operational sea training.
Participants also underwent practical training in damage control, firefighting, maritime communications, survival at sea and boarding procedures. Sea training was conducted onboard an Indian Naval ship.
The programme included participation from four international organisations and generated around 3,800 training man-hours.
The engagement aimed to strengthen interoperability, professional networks and operational confidence among participating countries while supporting regional capacity-building and collective maritime security.
The Indian Navy said the successful exercise reinforced its partnership with the Combined Maritime Forces and highlighted the role of Southern Naval Command as a leading hub for professional maritime training.
