India & Tanzania to co-host the 1st India Africa Naval EX Aikeyme

As a part of its military outreach in the African region, India will co-host a maritime exercise named Aikeyme with Tanzania in the Indian Ocean in April 2025. The maiden military exercise Aikeyme which means unity in Sanskrit will see the participation of 10 African countries including Tanzania.

The Indian government has also announced the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar initiative to complement the MAHASAGAR initiative of the Indian Navy.

Aikeyme Maritime Exercise 

The inaugural edition of the Aikeyme maritime exercise will be conducted off the Dar es Salam in Tanzania from 13–18 April 2025.

The inaugural exercise is expected to be inaugurated by the Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh. 

It will be co-hosted by the Indian Navy with the Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force.

Participants of the Aikeyme Maritime exercise

• The Aikeyme Maritime exercise co-hosted by India and Tanzania will also see the participation of  South Africa, Kenya, Eritrea, Comoros, Djibouti, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, and  Mozambique.

Nature of Exercise 

• The Aikeyme maritime exercise will involve both the Harbour and Sea Phase exercises.
• During the Harbour Phase the participating countries Naval personnel will take part in Table Top  Command Post exercises on anti-piracy operations and information sharing, along with training on Seamanship and Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS). 
• During the Sea Phase, the focus will be on Search and Rescue, Small Arms firing, Helicopter Operations and conducting VBSS operation 

Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar

Under the Indian Ocean (IOC) Ship initiative, an Indian Naval Ship INS Sunayna will be deployed in the Southwestern Indian Ocean region.

• It will carry 44 crews of friendly nations - Sri Lanka, Maldives, Kenya, Madagascar, Comoros, Mozambique, Mauritius, South Africa and Seychelles.
• The crews of these countries are being trained by the Indian Navy at its Kochi training facilities.
• The INS Sunayna will visit  Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania), Nacala (Mozambique), Port Louis (Mauritius), Port Victoria (Seychelles) and Male (Maldives). 
• It will also conduct joint surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles.

Also Read

The third edition of MAHASAGAR virtually  hosted by the Indian Navy 

Piracy threats in the Indian Ocean and Operation Sankalp