A nine member delegation from South African Navy (SAN) led by RAdm (JG) Nevielie Kurt Howell, visited Headquarters Sea Training (HQST) at Southern Naval Command (SNC) from 21-31 Oct 24. The visit was aimed at enhancing bilateral Naval training cooperation between the two Navies through Operational Sea Training (OST) of ships and submarines conducted by Indian Navy’s FOST Organisation.
During the visit, the head of delegation called on RAdm Upul Kundu, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Southern Naval Command and RAdm Srinivas Maddula, Flag Officer Sea Training and expressed the need to enhance professional engagement between both the Navies.
The visit focused on understanding various facets of conduct of Work Up through exposure to Harbour and Sea training activities undertaken by Indian Naval Work Up Team at Kochi. It also included visits to various training schools and establishments under SNC. Salient aspects included familiarisation with simulators, professional interactions and demonstration of Damage Control and Firefighting.
The successful conduct of the visit opens various avenues for training cooperation and reaffirms strong professional relationship between the two Navies. The training collaboration bears testimony to Indian Navy as the Preferred Training Partner in the IOR.