Kochi | The Indian Navy will host Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi, from July 20 to 23, a Defence Spokesperson said on Thursday.

The four-day multinational training engagement will be conducted in partnership with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) under the aegis of the Indian Navy-led Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154).

A statement by the Defence Spokesperson said that the event will bring together personnel from CMF Partner Nations for professional maritime security training, practical experience and exchange of best practices.

Through its association with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a multinational maritime partnership comprising more than 40 nations, the Indian Navy continues to contribute to regional capacity building and collective maritime security, the statement said.

"The training programme will combine classroom instruction, simulator-based training and practical exposure. Sessions will cover areas including Maritime Law, Maritime Domain Awareness and Information Sharing, Counter-Narcotics, Force Protection, Asymmetric Threats and maritime Uncrewed Systems," the statement said.

According to the Defence Spokesperson, participants will also be trained in Damage Control and Firefighting, maritime communications, Survival at Sea, Boarding procedures and hands-on training onboard an Indian Naval ship.

"Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 will showcase the Indian Navy's modern training infrastructure, state-of-the-art simulators, advanced instructional methodologies and professional expertise. The integration of theoretical instruction with practical application is aimed at enhancing interoperability, professional understanding and cooperation among participating nations," the statement said.

The conduct of the engagement at Southern Naval Command, Kochi, reinforces the Indian Navy's growing contribution to multinational maritime training, the spokesperson said.

It also highlights Southern Naval Command's role as a leading training hub and strengthens the Indian Navy's standing as a preferred destination for professional sea training, the statement added.