Passage Exercise (PASSEX)

Passage Exercise (PASSEX) : Recently, the Indian Navy conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group in the North Arabian Sea, marking a key milestone in enhancing bilateral naval cooperation.

• About Passage Exercise (PASSEX) : Designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen maritime security cooperation between the two navies.

o Participating Naval Assets: India: INS Tabar (Stealth frigate) and P-8I Aircraft (Long-range maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare)

- UK: HMS Prince of Wales (Aircraft carrier) and HMS Richmond (Type 23 frigate)

o Significance : Strengthens joint operational capabilities and naval interoperability.

- Reinforces collective maritime security in the Arabian Sea

- Builds on existing India–UK defense cooperation, including previous deployments of the UK Carrier Strike Group to the Indian Ocean region