Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron Begins Strategic Deployment to Southeast Asia

The Indian Navy has launched a long-range training deployment of its First Training Squadron to Southeast Asia, marking an important milestone in professional naval training and regional maritime diplomacy. This deployment forms a core component of the 110th Integrated Officers’ Training Course and reflects India’s growing focus on preparing future military leaders through real-world operational exposure while deepening engagement with friendly nations across the Indo-Pacific.

The mission underscores India’s intent to combine rigorous sea-based training with strategic outreach, reinforcing its presence in a region that holds increasing geopolitical and economic significance.

Image from Firstpost

Fleet Composition and Training Mandate

The First Training Squadron for this deployment comprises INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and the Indian Coast Guard ship Sarathi. Together, these vessels provide a comprehensive platform for officer trainees to gain hands-on experience in navigation, seamanship, maritime operations, and coordination at sea. The deployment is designed to expose trainees to long-duration sailing, port operations, and operational planning under diverse maritime conditions.

As part of the training curriculum, officer cadets will engage in practical learning that extends beyond classrooms, allowing them to understand real-time challenges faced during extended naval missions.

Port Calls and Professional Exchanges in Southeast Asia

During the deployment, the squadron will undertake scheduled port calls at key maritime hubs in Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. These visits will serve as platforms for professional interaction with regional navies and maritime agencies. The engagements are expected to include joint discussions, ship visits, training exchanges, and cultural interactions aimed at building mutual understanding and operational familiarity.

Such port calls also play a crucial role in strengthening people-to-people ties and fostering long-term cooperation between India and Southeast Asian nations.

Jointness and International Participation

A notable feature of the current training mission is its emphasis on jointness and international collaboration. Along with Indian Navy trainees, officers from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force are participating, reflecting India’s broader push toward integrated tri-service operations.

In addition, the inclusion of international officer trainees from friendly foreign countries highlights India’s growing role as a provider of high-quality military training. This collaborative approach enhances interoperability and reinforces India’s commitment to capacity building among partner nations.

Strategic Context and India’s Act East Vision

The deployment aligns closely with India’s Act East Policy and its broader vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. By engaging actively with Southeast Asian countries through naval diplomacy and training cooperation, India aims to promote stability, rule-based maritime order, and shared security interests.

Such missions also complement India’s wider maritime strategy, which emphasizes sustained presence, cooperative security, and trust-building in critical sea lanes.

A Legacy of Long-Range Training Deployments

The First Training Squadron has a long tradition of undertaking overseas deployments as part of officer training. Over the years, these missions have taken Indian naval trainees to ports across the Indian Ocean and beyond, including Africa, West Asia, and Southeast Asia. These voyages have consistently served as instruments of both professional development and diplomatic engagement.

The current deployment continues this legacy while adapting to evolving regional dynamics and operational requirements.

The MGMM Outlook

India’s long-range deployment of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron to Southeast Asia reflects a calibrated effort to blend professional military training with strategic maritime engagement. The mission highlights the importance placed on experiential learning for future officers through extended sea deployments, complex navigation, and coordinated operations involving multiple platforms. The participation of naval vessels alongside an Indian Coast Guard ship, combined with the inclusion of trainees from the Army and Air Force, reinforces the growing emphasis on jointness and integrated operations. This approach strengthens operational readiness while shaping officers who are accustomed to real-world maritime challenges rather than purely theoretical instruction.

At the same time, the planned port calls and professional exchanges in Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand underscore India’s expanding maritime footprint in the Indo-Pacific. These engagements go beyond ceremonial diplomacy, fostering interoperability, trust, and long-term cooperation with regional partners. The presence of international officer trainees further positions India as a credible hub for high-quality military training and capacity building. Taken together, the deployment aligns seamlessly with India’s Act East vision and its pursuit of a stable, rules-based maritime order, using naval training as a tool for both strategic influence and regional confidence-building.

(Sources: Hindustan Times, Economic Times, Firstpost)