NEW DELHI: The second edition of Zair-Al-Bahr, a joint exercise between the Indian Navy and the Qatar Emiri Naval Force (QENF), took place in the Persian Gulf from August 9 to 14.
The current exercise included a three-day harbour phase followed by a two-day sea phase. The sea phase included tactical maritime exercises such as surface action, anti-piracy drills, air defence, maritime surveillance, boarding operations, and SAR drills.
The Indian Navy Stealth Frigate INS Trikand, QENF Missile Boats of the Barzan and Damsah classes, Fast-Attack Crafts of the MRTP 34 class, and Rafale Fighter Aircraft took part in the exercise’s sea phase.
The Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring the region’s peace, stability, and security, and is always willing to cooperate and collaborate with partner Navies on maritime safety and security issues.
The second edition of exercise Zair-Al-Bahr will help the Indian Navy consolidate interoperability and forge strong friendship bonds with the Qatari Navy. The bilateral maritime exercise between two navies would strengthen bilateral maritime exchanges and improve maritime security in the region.