The Indian and the Japanese Coast Guards undertook a joint search and rescue exercise, ‘SAREX-18,’ in the Bay of Bengal off the Chennai coast on Wednesday.
A total of nine Indian Coast Guard ships and eight aircraft took part in the exercise, in which the Navy, the Air Force and the Institute of Ocean Technology pooled their resources.
Japanese Coast Guard ship Tsugaru participated in the cross-landing of helicopters on board an Indian Coast Guard ship. The exercise was completed on Wednesday afternoon.
Speaking on board ICGS Shaurya, Admiral Satoshi Nakajima, Commandant, Japan Coast Guard, said the joint exercise would lead to more collaboration and cooperation in areas such as anti-piracy measures that were necessary for peace and prosperity in the region. “Today’s exercise was viewed by officials from several countries. From the point of view of strengthening collaboration among the international Coast Guard agencies also, I think this was a very meaningful exercise,” Mr. Nakajima said.
Observers present
Observers from 17 countries witnessed the joint exercise from the ICGS Shaurya. During the exercise, the Coast Guards simulated a hijack of a cruise vessel and rescue of passengers on board, cross-deck landing of helicopters, interdiction of a pirate vessel, a search and rescue demonstration and external fire-fighting operations.
“The international observers came and saw how we conducted the exercises. Our special region extends to 4.6 million sq km, which is a pretty large area. On one side, the region meets Qatar, down south it goes towards Mauritius, Maldives and, in other places, it goes towards Australia or Indonesia. If something happens in this 4.6 million sq km, they can see how strong the Coast Guard is and how interoperability will be done,” said Rajendra Singh, Director General, Coast Guard.
