The Indian Navy is hosting the fifth edition of the Indo-Indonesian bilateral maritime exercise, ‘Samudra Shakti – 2025’, at Visakhapatnam from 14th to 17th October 2025. This exercise marks another step in deepening maritime security partnership and operational synergy between the two navies, reinforcing the shared vision of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Exercise Features and Participants
This year’s edition features 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 joint drill began with a warm welcome by the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command. The harbour phase includes cross-deck visits, joint yoga, friendly sporting fixtures, and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), aiming to foster professional rapport and cultural exchange.
Sea Phase: Advanced Maritime Operations
The sea phase of Samudra Shakti comprises dynamic and complex maritime operations including:
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Helicopter Operations
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Air Defence Exercises
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Weapon Firing Drills
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Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) exercises
The manoeuvres are designed to enhance tactical coordination, interoperability, and best practice sharing. The exercise also involves military interdiction operations (MIO), practice weapon firings, and tactical manoeuvres, reinforcing operational readiness for real-world contingencies.
Strategic Significance
Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’ has evolved since its inception in 2018 under India’s Act East Policy. It is a testament to the close and growing defence relations between India and Indonesia. The bilateral exercise strengthens mutual understanding, improves coordination in maritime operations, and highlights the nations’ commitment to peace, security, and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.
Conclusion
‘Samudra Shakti – 2025’ reiterates the importance of Indo-Indonesian cooperation in addressing both conventional and non-traditional security challenges. Together, the navies are boosting operational skills, fostering trust, and contributing to maintaining a stable maritime environment in the greater Indo-Pacific.
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Source: PIB
