The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Suvarna is scheduled to dock in Dar es Salaam today, where it will remain until October 21, 2024. This visit is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen defense collaboration and mutual understanding between Tanzania and India.
This marks the second visit of an Indian naval vessel to Tanzania this year, following a series of joint exercises with the Tanzanian Navy. During its stay, INS Suvarna will host a deck reception and will provide an Integrated Weapon Training Simulator (IWTS) to the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) for installation at the Infantry School located in Arusha. This initiative aims to enhance the TPDF’s capabilities in simulator-based training.
The Indian High Commission in Tanzania highlighted that this visit emphasizes the strong bilateral relations between the two countries, reinforced by President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s state visit to India in October 2023. Commander Lalit Yadav currently commands the ship, which is manned by a crew of 10 officers and 127 sailors.
During the port call, personnel from both the Indian Navy and the TPDF will engage in various professional interactions, including deck visits and sports activities. Tomorrow, there will be a volleyball match between the two naval teams, followed by a joint surveillance exercise of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on October 21.
In March 2024, the previous visit by INS Tir included both navies conducting harbor and sea exercises, which were part of the second edition of the India-Mozambique-Tanzania maritime series.