A large-scale annual operational exercise of the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy concluded recently off the littorals of Gujarat and Maharashtra. The week-long exercise termed ‘Defence of Gujarat Exercise’ tested the operational readiness of the Western Naval Command in relation to littoral combat and the defence of vital offshore assets in the northern coastal states of Western seaboard of India.

In addition to large ship’s like Delhi class destroyers, Teg and Godavari class frigates operating under the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet (FOCWF) the exercise also involved a large number of vessels of the local flotilla including potent missile vessels of the 22nd Killer Squadron, patrol vessels and minesweepers operating under the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area (FOMAG). Coast Guard patrol vessels, integrated into the operations played a key part in providing multiple layers of defensive surveillance. In addition to ships, the exercise also witnessed intense flying activity by the TU 142Ms, IL-38SDs, Indian Navy and CG Dorniers and Searcher and Heron UAVs.