New Delhi | The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) has commenced a Long Range Training Deployment (LRTD) to South East Asia, marking an important phase in the training curriculum of the 110th Integrated Officers’ Training Course (IOTC).
The deployment comprises four ships—INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Sarathi—which will undertake scheduled port calls at Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. The mission is aimed at providing officer trainees with extensive operational, professional, and cross-cultural exposure while at sea.
Beyond training, the deployment reinforces India’s sustained maritime engagement with South East Asian nations in line with the Act East Policy and India’s vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indian Ocean Region.
During the port visits, the squadron will engage in a wide range of professional interactions and cooperative activities with host navies and maritime agencies. These include structured training exchanges, cross-deck visits, interactions with subject matter experts, and Joint Maritime Partnership exercises. Such engagements are designed to enhance interoperability, foster mutual trust, and promote the exchange of best practices in maritime operations.
The 110th Integrated Officers’ Training Course includes six international officer trainees, highlighting the Indian Navy’s continued commitment to capacity building and professional military education for personnel from friendly foreign nations.
In a reflection of growing inter-services integration, personnel from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force are also embarked on the deployment. Their participation strengthens jointness and operational cohesion among the three services.
The Long Range Training Deployment underscores the Indian Navy’s emphasis on training excellence, while simultaneously advancing maritime diplomacy, goodwill, and cooperative regional security. Through such missions, the Navy continues to prepare future leaders for complex maritime challenges while deepening India’s strategic partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region.
