IN Vessels Call Port Moresby PNG

Padmesh Prabhune

Two vessels of the Indian Navy; the INS Sahyadri and the INS Kolkata, of the mission deployed in the Eastern Indian Ocean Region (IOR), docked in Papua New Guinea (PNG), arriving at Port Moresby on 02 August. Both ships are expected to stay in Port Moresby, for two days for enhancing maritime partnership and cooperation with Papua New Guinea.

INS Sahyadri is the third ship of the indigenously designed and built Project-17 class multirole stealth frigates and is commanded by Capt Rajan Kapoor whereas, INS Kolkata is the first ship of the indigenously designed and built Project-15A class destroyers, and is commanded by Capt Sharad Sinsunwal.

Both the ships have been built at Mazagon Dock Ltd, Mumbai, and are armed with an array of modern weapons and sensors which can address threats in all three dimensions.

During the port call, the crew from the two ships will engage with personnel from PNG Defence Forces in a wide range of activities including professional interactions, cultural exchanges, and ship visits. The port call is aimed at strengthening ties between India and Papua New Guinea in the maritime domain.

The Indian navy port call follows a visit by the Indian PM Narendra Modi in May 2023 to Papua New Guinea.

-Marex Media