INS Sunayna in Tanzania: INS Sunayna, known as the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR, reached the port of Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania on April 12, according to the Defence Ministry. The ship had left from Karwar in Karnataka on April 5, carrying 44 naval personnel from nine Friendly Foreign Nations (FFNs) in the Indian Ocean Region. These countries are Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.
The ship received a warm welcome from Rear Admiral AR Hassan, Chief of the Tanzania Navy, Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna, ACNS (FCI), and Commodore Agyapal Singh, India’s Defence Attaché to Tanzania. Officials from the Indian High Commission and Tanzania People Defence Force were also present.
During the visit, INS Sunayna will join the harbour phase of Exercise ‘AIKEYME’. This naval exercise was inaugurated by India’s Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth on April 12.
#INSSunayna sailing as Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR #IOS_SAGAR, made its first port call at Dar-es-Salaam, #Tanzania on #12Apr 25.
RAdm AR Hassan, Chief of Tanzania Navy, accompanied by RAdm Nirbhay Bapna, ACNS (FCI), #IndianNavy, embarked IOS SAGAR & interacted with multi-national… https://t.co/tEtNrAFr5G pic.twitter.com/z0aEReMKwo
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 13, 2025
In a press release, the Ministry of Defence stated, “The exercise will focus on enhancing operational coordination, refining joint strategies, and improving interoperability in maritime operations. Two Indian Navy ships, INS Chennai (Destroyer) and INS Kesari [Landing Ship Tank (Large)], will also participate in the exercise alongside INS Sunayna.”
“The participation of personnel from FFNs onboard INS Sunayna further underscores the significance of this initiative in promoting global maritime cooperation. Through such exercises and engagements, the Indian Navy remains committed to advancing collective maritime security, fostering goodwill and ensuring the free and safe movement of shipping lanes in the region,” it added, ET reported.
Indian Navy chief Begins 5-Day Visit to Tanzania to Witness Africa-India Maritime Exercise AIKEYME
Two other Indian Navy ships, INS Chennai (a destroyer) and INS Kesari (a landing ship tank), will also take part in the exercise alongside INS Sunayna. The Ministry added, “The participation of personnel from FFNs onboard INS Sunayna further underscores the significance of this initiative in promoting global maritime cooperation.”
The Navy said such missions help build stronger partnerships and ensure safe and open sea routes. INS Sunayna will leave Dar-es-Salaam on April 15 and head to Nacala in Mozambique to continue the IOS SAGAR mission.
The Ministry of Defence stated, “Aikeyme aims to develop collaborative solutions to common regional maritime challenges. This maiden initiative by the Indian Navy seeks to enhance interoperability and synergise combined operations among the maritime forces of partner nations. It also highlights the strong and friendly relations between India and the African nations.”
