Brussels [Belgium], September 9 (ANI): The Italian Navy destroyer ITS Caio Duilio, currently taking part in the European Union’s Naval Operation ASPIDES, conducted a passage exercise (PASSEX) with the Indian Navy destroyer INS Surat in the Indian Ocean, the EU said in a statement.
The exercise, held under the command of Operation ASPIDES Force Commander Rear Admiral Andrea Quondamatteo, marked the first time such close coordination was carried out between the Indian Navy and European Union forces. It provided a significant opportunity to strengthen operational interoperability, reinforce professional naval ties, and demonstrate a shared commitment to maritime security in strategically important waters.
According to the EU statement, the engagement with the Indian Navy aligns with the core objectives of Operation ASPIDES, which include supporting freedom of navigation by protecting merchant vessels and enhancing maritime situational awareness across critical sea lanes such as the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Sea of Oman, the Gulf, and the northwestern Indian Ocean.
The PASSEX featured maneuvering and tactical drills, radio and data exchanges, simultaneous flight operations, and other training activities for the crew, all aimed at boosting operational readiness and fostering mutual understanding.
Rear Admiral Quondamatteo noted that cooperation with the Indian Navy represents a fundamental step toward strengthening collective security along strategic sea lines of communication and promoting a combined approach to freedom of navigation and regional stability.
“In this vein, the maritime flow of goods between Europe and the Indo-Pacific, through the shortest route of the Red Sea, assumes global relevance for the prosperity and livelihood of our society. Therefore, having India and Europe on each other’s side is key to peace, stability, and growth,” he said.
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