Team Herald
VASCO: Stating that the current joint naval exercises between the Royal and Indian Navy will help in confidence building, Royal Defender Ship HMS Defender Commander Hewitt opined that the UK and Indian Navy, values the collaborative defence relationships as a means to help tackle worldwide threats.
Speaking to the media, Commander Richard Hewitt MBE RN, stated that the United Kingdom and India shares a long history with regards to the Navy.
“The ‘Defender’, which is present here, will build a strong relationship with the Indian Navy. We sailed for deployment on August 12 and the very next day we conducted joint exercises with India naval ship Tarkash in UK waters. Now we are in India and we are continuing our ties and continuing to learn from each other,” he said
He further stated that as a two global nations and global navies with global ambitions, they value collaborative defence relationships to tackle worldwide threats. “I see the UK has the capability to deal with the dangers now, tomorrow and beyond with the partnership with India,” he added.
When asked more about the joint exercises of the navy, Commander Hewitt informed that the ‘Integrated Electric Propulsion’ system is being understood and studied jointly by the Indian naval and marine engineers in collaboration with Royal Navy at this ship. He also mentioned that working with a partner like India is fantastic.
“It’s a very good opportunity for us to know and learn things from the India Navy. Such joint exercises and operations will help in strengthening ties between both navies” Hewitt added.
It may be recalled that Royal Navy Ship HMS Defender entered Mormugao Port on November 10.
