New Delhi: India and the European Union (EU) conducted a joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Aden on June 18-19 in keeping with their growing maritime security partnership.
The exercise involved Indian Navy frigate Trikand, EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation Atalanta(link is external) assets, including Italian frigate Carabiniere (Atalanta’s flagship) and Spanish frigate Navarra, French frigate Surcouf and French amphibious assault helicopter carrier Tonnerre.
The exercise was based on the scenario of an anti-piracy operation. It included cross-deck helicopter landings, complex tactical evolutions at sea, live firing, a night-time joint patrol and a naval parade in the high seas off the coast of Somalia, according to statement by the EU.