The Naseem Al Bahr sea phase brought boarding teams of the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman together for joint Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) drills, as INS Surat and the Omani vessel Al-Mu'azzar operated side by side in the 15th edition of the bilateral exercise.

The exercise, also called Sea Breeze, aimed to improve interoperability, professional cooperation and mutual understanding between the two navies, the Indian Navy said.

Naseem Al Bahr sea phase pairs INS Surat with Al-Mu'azzar

At sea, the two ships also carried out cross-deck operations. The Navy said these gave personnel from both sides the chance to practise coordinated procedures and improve operational interoperability.

Boarding is a core skill for any navy working in the waters off Oman, which sit beside some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. A boarding team has to reach a ship, get on board, secure it and search it, all while staying in contact with its own vessel. Doing this with another navy means both sides need to know each other's signals, drills and safety rules.

Indian and Omani personnel crossed in the same boats

Teams moved to the target ship in rigid inflatable boats, with Indian and Omani sailors sharing the craft, and climbed aboard by ladder before clearing the decks.

Harbour phase covered mine countermeasures and hydrography

Before the ships sailed, specialist teams met in harbour for Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE). The sessions covered Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Mine Countermeasure Operations and Hydrography. The Navy said the exchanges helped both sides share professional knowledge and operational experience in these specialised fields.

Hydrography was also on the table when the two navies held their 8th Staff Talks in New Delhi from 27 to 28 October, alongside operational engagements, training and information sharing. Mine warfare is among the tasks set for the Navy's newest shallow water craft, such as INS Malvan, commissioned at Karwar in July.

Exercise ties in with the MAHASAGAR vision

The Navy described Naseem Al Bahr as a sign of the close maritime partnership between India and Oman, adding that it furthers its engagement with regional maritime partners under the Government of India's MAHASAGAR vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.

This round follows the 13th meeting of the India-Oman Joint Military Cooperation Committee, held on 24 November 2025.

Oman is a regular port of call for Indian warships. The sail training ship INS Sudarshini called at Salalah in October during its Lokayan 2026 deployment.

Naseem Al Bahr has run since 1993

The series began in 1993 and is held every two years. The 12th edition was hosted off Goa, and the 13th was conducted off Oman in November 2022, when INS Trikand and INS Sumitra sailed with Omani ships for a sea phase that also included VBSS.

INS Surat, the fourth and final destroyer of Project 15B, was commissioned in January 2025. She arrived at Muscat on Sunday for the start of this year's exercise. With the Naseem Al Bahr sea phase complete, the two navies are to move on to a Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT), according to the Ministry of Defence.