Port Blair, May 11: The Closing Ceremony of the 23rdCycle of the India – Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) was attended by Air Marshal PK Roy, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM, ADC Commander-in-–Chief, Andaman& Nicobar Command in Indonesia from 30 Apr to 02 May 14. The 23rdCycle of the CORPATwas conductedfrom 16 Apr to 03 May 14. The Opening Ceremony of this cycle of CORPAT was held at Port Blair from 14 to 16 Apr 14, whilst the Closing Ceremony was at Belawan, Indonesia from 30 Apr to 02 May. One PattimuraClass of ship, KRI Imam Bonjol, and an indigenously built Maritime Patrol Aircraft CN 235 participated from the Indonesian Navy,while the Indian Navy was represented by INS Kumbhir and a Dornier from INAS 318 Squadron.
The highlight of this cycle of CORPAT was that the Commander-in-Chief of respective Commands from the Indonesian and Indian Navy were the Senior Officers for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. ShriGurjit Singh, the Hon’bleAmbassador of India to Indonesia, was also in attendance for few of the events during the Closing Ceremony at Belawan, Indonesia.
The ships and aircraft of both the navies carried out patrolling and surveillance along the International Maritime Boundary Line from 16 to 28 Apr and exchanged information on density of merchant traffic and fishing in the areaduring the Sea Phase of the CORPAT. In addition, the ships carried out various exercises at sea to increase interoperability, which included manoeuvres, station keeping by distance line, boarding operations and flag hoist drills.
INS Kumbhir, with Commodore Jatinder Singh, the Naval Component Commander embarked, entered Belawan Harbour on 30 Apr 14, while the CINCAN arrived by a Dornier aircraft at Medan Airport the same day. The CINCAN and entourage was accorded a warm welcome on arrival by the Indonesian Navy.
The various events held at Belawanfor the visitorsincluded reception by Consel General of India, Medan, a visit to Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world, discussions on patrol and exercises undertaken, formal Closing Ceremony, reception by Ambassador to India for Senior officers of Indian and Indonesian Navy and reception onboard INS Kumbhir.
The Senior Officers from both the navies expressedsatisfaction on the professional interaction and successful conduct of the CORPAT, and agreed mutually on the necessity to raise the level of exercises for the forthcoming cycles of the CORPAT.
