The Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy has started a fortnight long exercise in the Arabian Sea.“With the withdrawal of the monsoon and improved sea conditions, this is the right time to test our operational preparedness, validate procedures and try out new strategies and concepts of naval operations,” a naval spokesperson said.

The exercise will include live firing drills, helicopter operations from ships, operational logistics, and communication standard operating procedures are some of the areas that will form the core of these planned exercises in order to hone operational skills, testing of training efficacy and validate existing seamanship practices and procedures.

The Indian Navy has been a key presence in the Arabian Sea following its prolonged anti-piracy deployments in the Gulf of Aden and Op Sankalp off the Gulf of Oman.The Western Naval Command just concluded an offshore security and contingency exercise code named “Prasthan” on October 17.