INS TARKASH UNDERTAKES PASSEX WITH ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVY SHIP HMNZS TE KAHA

IN NEWS – INS Tarkash Undertakes PASSEX with Royal New Zealand Navy Ship HMNZS Te Kaha

Analysis

• The Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Tarkash carried out a PASSEX (Passing Exercise) with the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Anzac-class frigate HMNZS Te Kaha on 04 April 2025 in the Gulf of Aden.
• This engagement marked the conclusion of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) operation CTF 150 Joint Focused Operation ANZAC Tiger (27 Mar – 04 Apr 2025), in which INS Tarkash had been mission deployed.
• The exercise demonstrated the growing maritime cooperation between India and New Zealand, reinforcing India’s role as a reliable and preferred maritime security partner in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Key Highlights

• Interoperability Drills:
  Included cross-deck landings, cross boarding, Sea Rider exchanges, and tactical manoeuvres, supported by communication procedure exercises.
• Operational Objective:
  Aimed at enhancing mutual understanding, improving tactical coordination, and sharing operational best practices between the two navies.
• Strategic Significance:
  Conducted in the Gulf of Aden, a vital maritime chokepoint, the exercise underlined both countries’ commitment to regional maritime stability and freedom of navigation.
• Outcome:
  Strengthened bilateral defence cooperation, improved interoperability, and reinforced the Indian Navy’s commitment to maintaining security and order in the wider Indo-Pacific region.

Static / Background Information

• INS Tarkash:
  • A stealth frigate of the Talwar-class (Project 11356), built in Russia for the Indian Navy.
  • Commissioned in 2012, the ship is equipped for multi-role operations, including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare.
• HMNZS Te Kaha:
  • An Anzac-class frigate of the Royal New Zealand Navy, commissioned in 1997.
  • Designed for multinational maritime operations, including peacekeeping, disaster relief, and security patrols.
• PASSEX (Passing Exercise):
  • Conducted when two or more naval ships from different countries operate together during transits or deployments.
  • Helps build tactical familiarity, communication compatibility, and operational cooperation among navies.
• CTF 150 (Combined Task Force 150):
  • A multinational task force under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), focused on maritime security operations in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean.
  • Aims to counter terrorism, piracy, and illicit trafficking.

Updated – 06 Apr 2025 ; 2:45 PM | PIB