UK Royal Navy vessels dock at Chennai shipyard for maintenance
- In Reports
- 04:52 PM, Mar 27, 2024
- Myind Staff
The British High Commission informed in a statement that the United Kingdom's Littoral Response Group (LRG) has arrived in Chennai, marking the initial phase of its deployment to the Indian Ocean region.
As they entered the Arabian Sea, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Argus and RFA Lyme Bay engaged in maritime exercises with the Indian Navy. The vessels will now undergo necessary maintenance at the Larsen and Toubro shipyard in Kattupalli, located near Chennai.
This marks the inaugural occasion where a Royal Navy vessel will undergo maintenance at an Indian shipyard, directly stemming from the logistics-sharing agreement signed between the UK and India in 2022.
Brigadier Nick Sawyer, Defence Advisor at the British High Commission, stated, "The arrival of the Littoral Response Group demonstrates the UK's capability and dedication to the Indo-Pacific region."
He added, "The presence of Royal Navy ships undergoing essential maintenance at an Indian shipyard exemplifies the practical implementation of the India-UK Logistic Exchange Memorandum of Agreement."
He added that it also indicates the ongoing significance of the strategic defence partnership between the UK and India as they work towards fulfilling the goals outlined in the India-UK 2030 Roadmap.
After completing its maintenance in India, the Littoral Response Group will operate in the Indo-Pacific, conducting training, exercises, and broader engagement with allies and partners.
During Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to the UK earlier, India and the UK reached an agreement. As per the agreement, the UK would deploy its naval groups – the Littoral Response Group and Carrier Strike Group – to the Indian Ocean Region. Additionally, they agreed to conduct numerous joint military exercises and to broaden defence cooperation with India.
However, this marked the first visit of an Indian Defence Minister to the UK in over 20 years.
According to a release from the UK government, in the coming years, the UK and India will engage in more intricate exercises between their respective militaries. These exercises will culminate in a significant joint exercise scheduled to take place before the end of 2030. This initiative aligns with their shared objectives of safeguarding critical trade routes and upholding the international rules-based system.
Image source: ANI
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