Did INS Trikand Dock in Egypt for Exercise Bright Star 2025?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- INS Trikand participates in Exercise Bright Star 2025 in Egypt.
- Multinational forces improve regional security and cooperation.
- Engagements include cultural exchanges and sports fixtures.
- Enhancing interoperability against hybrid threats is a key focus.
- Indian Navy's increased presence showcases commitment to maritime security.
New Delhi, Sep 3 (NationPress) The Indian Naval stealth frigate INS Trikand made its way to Alexandria, Egypt, docking on September 1, 2025, during its operational deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. The frigate is set to participate in Exercise Bright Star 2025, hosted by Egypt from September 1 to 10.
This extensive defense exercise will also include participation from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. Bright Star 2025 is a multilateral exercise orchestrated by the US Central Command that encompasses air, land, and sea domains, aiming to bolster regional security, cooperation, and improve interoperability in countering hybrid threats.
In addition to India, Egypt, and the USA, forces from nations such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Greece, Cyprus, and Italy are anticipated to take part in this exercise. During its port visit to Alexandria, INS Trikand will engage in various activities to promote both bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
These activities will include consultations with senior military officials, cross-deck visits, cultural exchanges, and sports events aimed at fostering people-to-people connections.
The operational deployment's key objectives also encompass enhancing professional naval interactions in the Mediterranean Sea to improve interoperability with partner maritime nations.
Such interactions are intended to reinforce shared procedures and exchange best practices that would facilitate combined operations against both traditional and non-traditional maritime threats.
In recent years, the Indian Navy has intensified its engagements in the region. Last December, INS Tushil visited Casablanca, Morocco, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and naval cooperation between India and Morocco. Morocco, like India, is strategically positioned with coastlines along both the Mediterranean and Atlantic Oceans.
Similarly, in August of the previous year, INS Tabar visited Malaga, Spain, and after departing on August 27, 2024, conducted a Maritime Partnership Exercise with the Spanish Navy in the Mediterranean Sea.