Home » Maiden IONS Maritime Exercise 2022 held in Goa

Maiden IONS Maritime Exercise 2022 held in Goa

by Raju Vernekar
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By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, March 31:

The maiden edition of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Maritime Exercise 2022 (IMEX-22) conducted in the Goa and Arabian sea was concluded on Wednesday.
The exercise was aimed to enhance interoperability in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations among member navies. The exercise witnessed the participation of 16 out of the 25 member nations of IONS. 
The IONS established in 2007, is a premier forum for cooperation and collaboration among navies of littoral states of the IOR. The forum has enabled discussions on regional maritime issues, promoted friendly relationships, and significantly improved maritime security cooperation in the IOR. 
IMEX – 22 comprised a harbour phase at Mormugao Port, Goa from March 26 to March 27, followed by a Sea Phase in the Arabian Sea from March 28 to March 30. The participation included warships, Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft, and helicopters from the Navies of Bangladesh, France, India, and Iran.
 22 Observers from 15 IONS member navies, namely Australia, Bangladesh, France, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UAE, and the UK also participated in the exercise. The participants validated the IONS HADR guidelines and developed response mechanisms for providing HADR from sea to shore as well as for helping ships and crafts in distress at sea.
The Chiefs of Indian and French Navies witnessed exercises during the sea phase of IMEX – 22 and also attended the post-exercise debrief. The exercise is a significant stepping stone for regional navies to collaborate and respond collectively to natural disasters in the region and paves way for further strengthening regional cooperation.
Indian Navy’s Second P-81 Aircraft Squadron Commissioned
In another development, the Indian naval air squadron (INAS- 316), the Indian Navy’s second P-81 aircraft squadron, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in an impressive ceremony held at INS Hansa in Goa on Tuesday.
Chief of Naval Staff R Harikumar who was the chief guest on the occasion, while addressing the gathering, said that India is the preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean region(IOR) which reflects our country’s ability to play an effective strategic role in the region and the need to expand its operational reach. The Indian Navy is integral to this commitment and in pursuance of this objective, the commissioning of INAS-316 marks yet another mile towards enhancing maritime security and surveillance in the IOR.
INAS- 316 has been named “condors” which are one of the largest flying birds with a massive wind span. The insignia of the squadron depicts a condor searching over the vast blue expanse of the sea. Condors are known for excellent sensory capabilities, powerful and sharp talons, and large massive wings symbolizing the capabilities of the aircraft and envisaged roles of the squadron.
INAS-316 will operate the Boeing P 81 aircraft, a multi-role long-range maritime reconnaissance anti-submarine warfare LRMR ASW aircraft, that can be equipped with a range of air-to-ship missiles and torpedoes. The game-changer aircraft is a potent platform for maritime surveillance and strike, electronic warfare missions, search and rescue, providing targeting data to weapon platforms, providing time-critical surveillance information for IN and IAF, and is also the platform of choice for detecting and neutralizing enemy ships and submarines to IOR.
The squadron has been specifically commissioned to be the home for the four new P-81 aircraft procured under the option clause contract and to deter, detect and destroy any threat in the IOR.. These aircraft have been operating from INS Hansa since December 30, 2021, and the squadron is integrated with full-spectrum surface and sub-surface naval operations.         
INAS is commanded by Commander Amit Mohapatra, an accomplished Boeing P-81 pilot with extensive operational experience. He has also flown maritime air platforms such as IL- 38 and Dornier-228 and also commanded INS Baratang as well as served as the executive officer of INS Tarkash.

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