INS Sagardhwani Embarks on Mission Sagar Maitri-2
- INS Sagardhwani, a Marine Acoustic Research Ship of the Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi and operated by the Indian Navy, has been flagged off from Kochi for a scientific venture called ‘Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative (MAITRI)’.
- INS Sagardhwani will embark on a two-month long voyage to visit four eastern IOR nations namely Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia in the first phase of the mission SAGAR MAITRI-2.
- This mission is being implemented by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Kochi-based NPOL for a strategic-cum scientific oceanic expedition to enhance collaboration with eight Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) nations. .
- The mission named as SAGAR MAITRI-2 is in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)’ to promote closer cooperation among 8 Indian Ocean Region countries in socio-economic aspects, as well as greater scientific interaction, especially in ocean research in underwater acoustics.
- Objectives of the SAGAR MAITRI mission are data collection from the entire North Indian Ocean, focusing on the Andaman Sea and adjoining seas and establishing long term collaboration with eight IOR countries in the field of ‘Ocean Research and Development’.