Two Indian naval vessels are set to visit ports in New Zealand later this month on a four-day resupply stop.
The visit is the first by Indian naval vessels since 2016, when INS Sumitra visited Auckland as part of the International Naval Review.
"Guided missile destroyer INS Kolkata will be berthing at Ports of Auckland, while, at the same time, multi-role frigate INS Sahyardri will be (visiting) CentrePort in Wellington," a New Zealand Defence Force spokesperson said.
India's chief of naval staff, Admiral R. Hari Kumar, had signalled a 2023 port call during a stop in Auckland last year.
"While the Indian ships are on a supply and recreational break, if the opportunity presents itself, there may be some interaction with the Royal New Zealand Navy," the NZDF spokesperson said when asked about the significance of the visit.
"New Zealand's defence relationship with India is long-standing but limited. This is primarily due to the distance between the two countries but, on occasion, the two armed forces discuss regional security issues, mutual training opportunities, maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief."
A spokesperson from the Indian Navy said the INS Sahyadri is the third indigenously designed and built Project-17 class multi-role stealth frigate in the Indian Navy. It is presently commanded by Captain Rajan Kapoor.
The INS Kolkata is the first indigenously designed and built Project-15A class destroyer in the Indian Navy. Photo: Supplied
The INS Kolkata is the first indigenously designed and built Project-15A class destroyer in the Indian Navy, the spokesperson said. The vessel is commanded by Captain Sharad Sinsunwal.
"Both ships have been built at the Mazagon Dock in Mumbai and are fitted with state-of-the-art array of weapons and sensors to detect and neutralise threats in surface, air and underwater domains," the spokesperson said.
The vessels are currently participating in the Malabar maritime exercises in Sydney through 21 August. Defence vessels and aircraft from the US Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force and the Royal Australian Navy are also involved in the exercises.
Notably, Malabar is a series of maritime exercises started in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between the Indian and US defence forces. Now in its 27th edition, these exercises have grown to include four prominent navies in the Indo-Pacific region.
This year's exercises are being conducted in two phases, the spokesperson from the Indian Navy said.
"The harbour phase involves wide-ranging activities such as cross-deck visits, professional exchanges, sports fixtures and several interactions for planning and conduct of the sea phase," the spokesperson said. "The sea phase includes various complex and high intensity exercises in all three domains of warfare, encompassing anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine exercises, including live weapon firing drills."
