Visit of INS Trikand to Maldives
Indian Naval Ship ‘Trikand’ has arrived Maldives for a 5-day joint exercise with the MNDF Coast Guard. The aim of the exercise is to jointly conduct maritime security patrol in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Maldives. During this visit, the MNDF Coast Guard personnel embarked the ship to undertake joint patrol aimed at increasing maritime security in the Indian Ocean region, especially in the territorial waters of Maldives. The ship’s Commanding Officer called on the Vice-Chief of Defence Force and MNDF Coast Guard Commander on August 25 and also hosted a reception on board the ship in the evening, where dignitaries of Government of Maldives and MNDF participated.
A ceremony was held on board INS Trikand August 26, during which important stores for the use of MNDF were handed over by H.E. Shri Rajeev Shahare, High Commissioner of India to H.E. Col (Retd) Mohamed Nazim, Minister of Defence and National Security. These stores will be useful to maintain the operational and training capabilities of the MNDF and help to increase mutual security of both the countries. The Commanding Officer of the ship, Capt Vinay Kalia also presented a memento to the Minister during the occasion.
INS Trikand is one of the latest ships in the Indian Navy and carries a state-of-the-art combat suite which includes the supersonic BRAHMOS missile system, advanced Surface to Air missiles Shtil, upgraded A190 medium range gun, Electro-optical 30 mm Close-in Weapon System, Anti-Submarine weapons such as torpedoes and rockets and an advanced Electronic Warfare system. The ship is powered by four gas turbines and is capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ship can carry an integrated Kamov 31 helicopter which is best suited for airborne early warning roles
