New Delhi, Apr 22: As a prelude to bigger manoeuvres with the Russian Navy in the Arabian Sea next month, the Indian Navy has undertaken joint naval exercises with the Royal Oman Navy off the Kochi coast from today. During the four-day exercise, Indian Navy frontline submarine INS Shalki, frigate INS Udaygiri, missile corvette INS Prabal and fleet tanker INS Jyoti along with shore-based naval aircraft and sea-borne helicopters will carry out day and night manoeuvres and anti-submarine exercises with the visiting Omanese navy warships, a naval spokesman here said. The Royal Oman warships participating include al Muzzar, a missile corvette, and al Sharquiyah, a missile armed fast attack craft.

The spokesman said besides tactical manoeuvres at high seas, "surface and anti firing exercises" will also be conducted. At the culmination of joint exercises, the Omanese warships and their crews would enter Kochi and visit naval training establishments.

Bureau Report