23^rd Cycle India-Indonesia Corpat Gets Underway

Port Blair, April 17: The close defence relations between India and Indonesia have been growing steadily with regular exercises and exchanges of personnel between the Armed Forces of the two countries. Under the broad ambit of this strategic partnership, the Navies of India and Indonesia have been carrying out coordinated patrolling twice a year since 2002 near the International Maritime Boundary Line to keep this vital part of the Indian Ocean region safe and secure for commercial shipping and international trade.

The 23^rd Cycle of India – Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) is being conducted from 14^th April to 2^nd May 2014. The Indonesian Navy is being represented by KRI Imam Bonjol and Maritime Patrol Aircraft CN 235, whilst INS Kumbhir and one IN Dornier are participating from the Indian Navy. The high level Indonesian delegation for the 23^rd CORPAT is headed by Rear Admiral Arief Rudianto, Commander-in-Chief, Western Fleet Command and includes Commodore Didik Wahyudin, Commander of Naval Base, Belawan and Captain Imam Musani who is the Commanding Officer of Personal Ops Centre. The aim of the co-ordinated exercise is to enhance mutual understanding and inter-operability between the navies.

The Opening Ceremony of the Coordinated Patrol was held at Port Blair from 14^th to 16^th Apr. INS Kumbhir and an IN Dornier will be visiting Belawan from 30^th Apr to 2^nd May to participate in the closing ceremony.