New Delhi: Five-day joint exercise Zair-Al-Bahr (Roar of the Sea) of Indian Navy and Qatari Emiri Naval Forces began on November 17 which would strengthen cooperation and enhance interoperability between the two navies.

Navy Guided Missile Stealth Frigate INS Trikand and Patrol Aircraft P-8I reached Doha for the inaugural edition of the Bilateral Maritime Exercise.

The Exercise will include a three-day Harbour Phase and two-day Sea Phase. The activities during the harbour phase will include a seminar, professional interaction, official visits, sports fixtures along with social and cultural events. The Sea Phase will include a Tactical Maritime Exercise involving the domains of Surface Action, Air Defence, Maritime Surveillance and Interdiction Operation and anti-terrorism.

INS Trikand commanded by Captain Vishal Bishnoi, is one of the frontline frigates of the Indian Navy equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors. The ship is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet and is under the Operational Command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, based at Mumbai. The P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft incorporates the latest technology for Maritime Surveillance.

The Qatari Emiri Naval Forces participating in this Exercise include the versatile Anti-Ship Missile equipped Barzan Class Fast Attack Craft along with Rafale multi-task fighter aircraft.