INS Trishul Valencia port call began on Wednesday. The Indian Navy's guided missile stealth frigate reached the Spanish port during her deployment to the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and adjoining waters.

INS Trishul Valencia call set for Spanish Navy engagements

The programme in port covers professional interactions, cross-deck visits, and sporting and cultural engagements with the Spanish Navy. According to the Indian Navy, these give both forces room to exchange operational experience and build mutual understanding between the two navies.

The Navy described the INS Trishul Valencia visit as part of its sustained engagement with friendly foreign countries and partner navies.


Exercise Varuna with the French Navy came first

Before Spain, the frigate was at Toulon for the 24th edition of Exercise Varuna, the annual bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy and the French Navy. She arrived there on 22 September for a harbour phase of professional, sporting and cultural engagements. The crew also laid a wreath at the Mazargues War Memorial in Marseille, in remembrance of 205 Indian soldiers who died in the two World Wars.

Sea phase with Forbin, La Fayette and Suffren

At sea, INS Trishul exercised with the air defence frigate Forbin, the stealth frigate La Fayette and the nuclear attack submarine Suffren. NH90 helicopters and Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft joined in. The serials ran to anti-submarine, anti-surface and live-firing drills, with cross-deck helicopter landings.

Alexandria port call in September

Earlier in the deployment, INS Trishul called at Alexandria, Egypt, from 14 to 17 September. The Egyptian Navy ship Al Qadeer escorted her into harbour, and the crew paid homage at the Chatby War Memorial. India's Ambassador to Egypt, Suresh Reddy, visited the ship. A Passage Exercise with ENS Bernees followed, covering coordinated manoeuvring, communication drills and approaches for replenishment at sea.

Indian warships in Spanish ports

Valencia has hosted the Indian Navy before. INS Trikand entered the port in August 2015 for a three-day visit, during a deployment to West Asia, Africa and Europe.

Spain saw another Indian Navy ship only weeks ago. Sail training ship INS Sudarshini arrived at Barcelona on 1 September and concluded a six-day port call as part of the Lokayan 2026 transoceanic expedition, with a deck reception onboard and the ship opened to visitors from the Indian community and local residents.

INS Trishul, a Talwar class frigate, was commissioned in 2003.