The port call forms part of the Indian Navy’s Long Range Training Deployment to South East Asia, reinforcing defence ties between India, Singapore, and the wider ASEAN region
The First Training Squadron (1TS) of the Indian Navy arrived in Singapore on 15 January 2025 as part of its Long Range Training Deployment (LRTD) to South East Asia. The squadron, comprising INS Tir, Shardul, Sujata, and ICGS Sarathi, was deployed under the training curriculum of the 110th Integrated Officers’ Training Course (IOTC).
The visit underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between India and Singapore in line with India’s Act East Policy. It also carried broader regional significance, as 2026 is being commemorated as the ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation, highlighting India’s sustained engagement with South East Asian nations and its commitment to regional maritime security.
During its three-day port call from 15 to 18 January 2025, the squadron was scheduled to participate in professional exchanges and cooperative activities with the Republic of Singapore Navy. Following Singapore, the ships were set to make port calls in Indonesia and Thailand, providing officer trainees with valuable operational, cross-cultural, and diplomatic exposure.
The First Training Squadron plays a critical role in training officer cadets from the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, and friendly foreign countries. The 110th IOTC included international trainees from the Maldives, Myanmar, and Vietnam, alongside personnel from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, reflecting India’s emphasis on jointness, capacity building, and professional military education.
The visit reaffirmed the long-standing maritime partnership between India and Singapore, built through decades of exercises, exchanges, and institutional cooperation. The deployment highlighted the Indian Navy’s focus on training excellence while contributing to maritime diplomacy, goodwill, and a cooperative approach to security across the Indian Ocean and South East Asian region.
Source: Indian High Commission in Singapore
