Indo-Indonesian Maritime Exercise Samudra Shakti 2025 Begins

The Indian Navy is hosting the fifth edition of the Indo-Indonesian Joint Bilateral Maritime Exercise, Samudra Shakti 2025, at Visakhapatnam from 14 to 17 October 2025. This exercise strengthens naval cooperation between India and Indonesia. It reflects their shared commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Exercise Overview

Samudra Shakti is a biennial maritime exercise. It involves the Indian Navy’s INS Kavaratti, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette, and the Indonesian Navy’s KRI John Lie, a Corvette with an integral helicopter. The exercise is conducted under the Eastern Naval Command of India. It includes harbour and sea phases designed to build camaraderie and enhance operational coordination.

Harbour Phase Activities

The harbour phase focuses on professional and cultural exchanges. Activities include Cross Deck Visits, where personnel visit each other’s ships. Joint Yoga sessions promote physical fitness and bonding. Friendly sports fixtures encourage team spirit. Professional Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) enable sharing of tactical knowledge and best practices.

Sea Phase Operations

The sea phase involves complex maritime drills. These include Helicopter Operations to improve airborne coordination. Air Defence Exercises test readiness against aerial threats. Weapon Firing Drills enhance combat skills. Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) exercises simulate maritime law enforcement and anti-piracy operations. These activities improve tactical interoperability between the two navies.

Strategic Significance

Samudra Shakti underlines the strategic partnership between India and Indonesia. It promotes mutual understanding and trust. The exercise supports regional maritime security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. It also helps counter common challenges like piracy, terrorism, and trafficking. Enhanced naval cooperation contributes to safeguarding sea lanes vital for global trade.

Future Prospects

The exercise is expected to grow in scale and complexity. It may include more advanced platforms and multilateral participation. Continuous engagements will deepen bilateral ties. They will also encourage a rules-based maritime order. Samudra Shakti exemplifies India’s Act East policy and Indonesia’s maritime diplomacy.