In a strategic move to strengthen its role as a key maritime security partner in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), India is set to host its first major joint naval exercise with African nations. Named AIKEYME (Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement), the exercise will take place in mid-April 2025 and will involve 10 African countries.
The inaugural AIKEYME will be co-hosted by the Indian Navy and the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF), with the drills scheduled off the coast of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The event will be formally launched by India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh.
Spanning six days, the exercise will bring together naval forces from India, Tanzania, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa. The plan is to make AIKEYME a biennial event, strengthening long-term maritime cooperation.
Complementing this initiative, India will also launch a unique project called Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar. Under this effort, the offshore patrol vessel INS Sunayna will be crewed jointly by Indian sailors and 44 personnel from nine African nations. The deployment will cover the southwestern Indian Ocean from April 15 to May 8.
Together, AIKEYME and IOS Sagar are aimed at enhancing India’s defense ties with Africa and expanding its presence in the region, especially amid growing Chinese influence. This year’s exercise focuses on East African nations, with plans to include West African countries in the future.
Key operational themes of the exercise include anti-piracy operations, VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) drills, search and rescue missions, and enhanced information-sharing protocols.
These initiatives signal a new era of Indo-African maritime collaboration, reinforcing India's commitment to being a reliable and responsive security partner in the Indian Ocean.
(Source: The Print)
