Iran Navy plans to hold joint military drills with India

Iran’s Navy chief says the Islamic Republic plans to hold joint military drills with India.

“We will stage short-term maneuvers with the Indian army and we are also after holding tactical, extensive, large-scale maneuvers as well as rescue and relief drills with India,” Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari told reporters on Thursday.

Sayyari made the remarks after he met with the Indian deputy commander for naval operations and his entourage to discuss cooperation to establish security in north of Indian Ocean.

“The Indian Ocean is of high significance to the world and the Islamic Republic of Iran and its security is very important to us and the globe. Therefore, we have announced that we are capable of ensuring security in the north of the Indian Ocean to prevent any insecurity there,” the admiral said.

Sayyari added that an Indian navy fleet will dock at the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, the capital of Hormozgan Province, in April or May.

In August 2015, an Indian navy fleet, comprising the INS Beas (F37) and INS Betwa (F39) frigates, docked at Bandar Abbas for a four-day stay.

In late January, Iranian Navy’s destroyer Alvand set sail to India to participate in joint maneuvers with several other navies.

Alvand participated in the naval drills along with other destroyers near Visakhapatnam Port in India. India had organized the drills on the occasion of its national day.

In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and conducted numerous military drills.

Iran has repeatedly assured other countries that its military might poses no threat to other states, insisting that the country’s defense doctrine is entirely based on deterrence.