INS Sumedha is on an Extended Range Operational Deployment and is currently operating in the Atlantic Ocean along the West Coast of Africa. During this period, INS Sumedha operated in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) undertaking a 31 days anti-piracy patrol. This is the second such patrol being undertaken by the Indian Navy in this crucial maritime region. The maiden GoG Anti piracy patrol was undertaken by INS Tarkash in September–October 2022. The region is critical for India’s National Interests as it is an important source for India’s energy requirements. Sumedha’s deployment also ensured enhancing Navy to Navy connect with regional navies including Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Angola and Namibia. The deployment was also used to further the capability of the regional partners through joint training undertaken by the ships’ crew reiterating India and Indian Navy’s focus on helping our friends and the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family). Another highlight of the deployment was the ships participation in the maiden India- EU Joint Exercise in the GoG (https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1971391).

INS Sumedha’s operational deployment to a crucial geographical region of immense relevance to India has ensured our National Interests are further bolstered.