Indian, US navies join forces in Kochi for five-day EOD exercise to counter explosive threats

New Delhi: The Indian Navy and the US Navy will conduct a five-day explosive ordnance-disposal (EOD) exercise in Kochi from August 10 to 14. The high-intensity drills will involve specialized teams from both navies jointly training in handling, defusing and disposing of explosives across a range of maritime situations, including complex ones. 

The exercise will be held at the Southern Naval Command and will focus on improving coordination between the specialist diving and EOD teams of the two navies. The five-day programme will include expert discussions, cross-training sessions, equipment demonstrations and practical exercises based on different operational scenarios.

EOD teams are trained to identify, assess and safely deal with explosive devices and other ordnance-related threats. These activities may involve underwater hazards and require specialized diving skills, equipment and carefully coordinated procedures in the maritime environment.

Through the exercise, Indian and American soldiers will have the chance to learn about the latest methods of EOD that are being used. In addition, they will be able to show their equipment and tell about their experience in working under various conditions. Through this process, members of both sides will be able to understand each other more clearly.

During the training session, personnel will be able to practice together. This type of exercise is very useful for developing common practices in teams.

This exercise is going to offer both navies a chance to learn from each other’s experience in operation. Through discussions and practical training, the personnel involved are expected to gain new insights into different approaches of EOD operations as well as improving their cooperation.

Salvage and EOD exercises between India and the US have been happening since 2005. The upcoming one is the eighth edition of this specialized exercise between the two navies.

This particular exercise falls under the defence cooperation framework of India and the US, where regular military exercises help personnel from both countries gain valuable experience by working together.

The previous edition of the exercise was held in Kochi from June 26 to July 6, 2023. The seventh edition saw the participation of Indian Navy’s INS Nireekshak and US Navy’s USNS Salvor, along with specialist diving and EOD teams from both countries.

During that 10-day exercise, the teams trained together on EOD operations on land and at sea, while also exchanging expertise in maritime salvage. The training covered areas such as mine detection and neutralization, wreck location and salvage operations.