INS Trishul arrives in Italy's Civitavecchia after PASSEX with Italian Navy
Synopsis
INS Trishul's Mediterranean tour has taken the Indian Navy's stealth frigate from a landmark bilateral exercise with the Royal Navy off Plymouth to port calls in Lisbon and now Civitavecchia — making it one of the most operationally dense European deployments in recent Indian naval history. The voyage signals New Delhi's intent to build lasting naval partnerships far beyond its traditional Indian Ocean backyard.
Key Takeaways
INS Trishul arrived at Civitavecchia, Italy , on 26 October 2026 during its Mediterranean deployment.
The frigate conducted a PASSEX with the Italian Navy's Carlo Margottini before entering harbour.
The exercise covered manoeuvring drills, communication procedures, replenishment approaches, cross-deck landings, personnel transfers, and boarding operations.
Earlier, on 18 October 2026 , INS Trishul made a port call at Lisbon, Portugal .
Konkan-26 , the India-UK bilateral exercise, was conducted from 8 to 15 October 2026 off Plymouth , with the Royal Navy deploying HMS Sutherland .
The deployment reflects India's expanding naval engagement across European and Atlantic waters.
Indian Navy's stealth frigate INS Trishul has arrived at Civitavecchia, Italy, as part of its ongoing operational deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. Before entering harbour, the warship conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Italian Navy's Carlo Margottini, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed on Monday, 26 October 2026.
What the Exercise Involved
The PASSEX encompassed a wide range of coordinated naval activities, including manoeuvring drills, communication procedures, replenishment approaches, cross-deck landings, personnel transfers, and boarding operations. According to the MoD, the exercise 'facilitated the exchange of Best Practices and enhanced operational synergy between the two Navies.'
During the port call at Civitavecchia, professional interactions, cultural visits, and exchanges have been scheduled. INS Trishul will also be open to visitors, offering an opportunity to engage with the Indian Navy's maritime traditions and capabilities.
Broader Significance of the Port Call
The Ministry of Defence stated that 'the port call underscores the enduring maritime partnership between India and Italy and reflects the commitment of both Navies to enhancing professional linkages and operational cooperation.' The visit is part of a broader pattern of India's expanding naval engagement across European and Atlantic waters — a strategic signal as much as an operational one.
Earlier Stops: Lisbon and Plymouth
The Civitavecchia call follows a port visit to Lisbon, Portugal, on 18 October 2026, where INS Trishul was received by First Secretary Ronnie Spurgeon and Defence Attaché Colonel Rohan Falnikar from the Embassy of India in Portugal.
Prior to Lisbon, the frigate participated in Konkan-26, the India-UK bilateral maritime exercise, which was conducted from 8 to 15 October 2026 off Plymouth, United Kingdom. The Royal Navy deployed HMS Sutherland, a Duke-class anti-submarine warfare frigate, while India was represented by INS Trishul. The exercise was overseen by the Royal Navy's Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST).
Konkan-26: Key Highlights
The intensive four-day Sea Phase from 12 to 15 October 2026 covered advanced seamanship manoeuvres, joint tactical exercises, anti-surface asymmetric warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and live weapon firings in a multi-threat maritime environment. The Navy said the drills 'enhanced interoperability between the participating units' and reinforced the two navies' ability to operate together 'across complex maritime scenarios.'
This comes amid India's broader effort to deepen maritime partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, with the European leg of INS Trishul's deployment spanning the UK, Portugal, and now Italy — a route that reflects New Delhi's growing strategic footprint in Western naval theatres.
Further port calls during the Mediterranean deployment are expected as INS Trishul continues its westward operational tour.
Point of View
Lisbon, Civitavecchia — is less a routine deployment and more a carefully sequenced diplomatic signal. Each port call builds on a different bilateral relationship: the UK through the longstanding Konkan series, Portugal as a gateway to Lusophone networks, and Italy as a NATO ally India has been quietly cultivating. What mainstream coverage often misses is that these exercises are not just about seamanship; they are about India's intent to be accepted as a credible partner in maritime security architectures well beyond the Indian Ocean. The question is whether sustained operational tempo translates into deeper intelligence-sharing and interoperability frameworks — the real currency of naval alliances.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where has INS Trishul arrived and why?
INS Trishul has arrived at Civitavecchia in Italy as part of its ongoing operational deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. Before docking, the frigate conducted a Passage Exercise with the Italian Navy's Carlo Margottini to enhance bilateral naval interoperability.
What is a PASSEX and what did it involve?
A PASSEX, or Passage Exercise, is a coordinated naval drill conducted while ships transit together. In this instance, it covered manoeuvring drills, communication procedures, replenishment approaches, cross-deck landings, personnel transfers, and boarding operations between INS Trishul and the Italian Navy's Carlo Margottini.
What was Konkan-26 and when did it take place?
Konkan-26 was the India-UK bilateral maritime exercise conducted from 8 to 15 October 2026 off Plymouth, United Kingdom. The Indian Navy was represented by INS Trishul, while the Royal Navy deployed HMS Sutherland, a Duke-class anti-submarine warfare frigate.
Which other countries has INS Trishul visited during this deployment?
During the current deployment, INS Trishul participated in Konkan-26 off Plymouth in the United Kingdom, followed by a port call in Lisbon, Portugal, on 18 October 2026, before arriving in Civitavecchia, Italy, on 26 October 2026.
What is the significance of India's naval engagement in Europe?
India's European naval deployments signal a broadening of its strategic partnerships beyond the Indian Ocean. Port calls and exercises with NATO allies such as the UK and Italy reflect New Delhi's intent to build operational interoperability and diplomatic goodwill in Western naval theatres.
