Indian Navy's First Training Squadron at Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar, Tanzania.

As part of Indian Navy's Overseas Deployment, four indigenously built ships of Indian Navy's First Training Squadron, Indian Naval Ships Tir, Sujata and Shardul and Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi, are visiting Tanzania from 14 to 17 October 2019.

INS Tir belonging to First Training Squadron of Indian Navy (Picture source: Indian Navy)

During the visit, the 1TS ships would be undertaking port calls at Dar Es Salaam on 14 October 2019 and Zanzibar from 15 to 17 October 2019. The Senior Officer of First Training Squadron is Captain Varun Singh, who is also Commanding Officer of INS Tir.

The Indian Navy's First Training Squadron, under the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command based at Kochi, imparts training to Officer Cadets of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard as well as from Friendly Foreign Countries. The training curriculum includes subjects like Seamanship, Navigation, Shiphandling, Boat Work and Engineering, imparted onboard the 1TS Ships, and Sail Training onboard IN Sail Training Ships Tarangini and Sudarshini.

During the port call, the Senior Officer of First Training Squadron will call on various dignitaries and government officials of Tanzania and the Tanzanian People's Defence Forces. Professional interactions are planned with the Tanzanian People's Defence Forces towards enhancing co-operation. In addition, social engagements, sports events and exchange of best practices will be conducted between the two Navies.

Tanzania and India have traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly bilateral relations, sharing common values of democracy and development. There have been regular high-level exchanges and interactions in numerous fields between both countries. Bilateral Defence Cooperation is being progressed through regular interactions between the governments of the two countries.

INS Tir (A86) (Hindi Arrow) is the first dedicated cadet's training ship to be built by Mazagon Dock Limited and commissioned as such by the Indian Navy. She is the senior ship of the 1st Training Squadron of the Southern Naval Command. Indian Navy ships are regularly deployed overseas as part of Indian Navy's mission of building 'bridges of friendship' and strengthening international cooperation with friendly countries.