RSNF Trainees Complete Afloat Training Course with Indian Navy

Kochi: Seventy-six trainees from the King Fahd Naval Academy of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) concluded their Afloat Training Course with the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) today. The completion ceremony took place in Kochi, marking the end of a rigorous three-week training program that combined both harbour and sea phases.

The harbour phase of the course focused on simulator-based training, where trainees honed their skills in navigational techniques, firefighting, and damage control. The sea phase, on the other hand, provided participants with practical experience in ship handling, communication procedures, and seamanship evolutions. Additionally, the trainees participated in sail training at the Watermanship Training Centre and aboard INS Tarangini.

The program saw the RSNF trainees working alongside Indian Naval officers from the 107 Integrated Officers Training Course (IOTC). This interaction not only fostered camaraderie and mutual understanding but also facilitated cultural exchanges. The trainees engaged in organized visits to historical and local sites of interest and participated in friendly sports fixtures with their Indian counterparts, further strengthening the bond between the two maritime nations.

At the culmination of the training, Rear Admiral Upal Kundu, Chief of Staff of the Southern Naval Command, addressed the trainees and the RSNF directing staff. During the interaction, trainees shared their experiences at sea, and the directing staff commended the high-quality training provided. The valedictory function was held onboard INS Tir, where course completion certificates and alumni badges were awarded. A course memoir, highlighting the journey and achievements of the trainees, was also unveiled.