The UK’s Littoral Response Group (LRG) reached Chennai today as part of its deployment to the Indian Pacific region, marking a significant milestone in bilateral maritime cooperation.
Led by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Argus and RFA Lyme Bay, the group engaged in maritime exercises with the Indian Navy upon entering the Arabian Sea. Now, they will undergo essential maintenance at the Larsen & Toubro shipyard in Kattupalli near Chennai, marking the first time a Royal Navy vessel has undergone maintenance at an Indian shipyard. According to an official statement issued by the UK High Commission in Delhi, this is a direct outcome of the logistics-sharing agreement signed between the UK and India in 2022.
Brigadier Nick Sawyer, Defence Advisor at the British High Commission, stressed the visit’s importance, highlighting the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. He underscored the significance of Royal Navy ships undergoing maintenance in India, showcasing the practical implementation of the India-UK Logistic Exchange Memorandum of Agreement.
Following maintenance, the LRG will continue its operations in the Indo-Pacific, conducting training, exercises, and broader engagement with allies and partners in the region. The visit aligns with the commitment made by both countries to strengthen defence ties, as evidenced by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to the UK in January and the launch of Defence Partnership-India in January 2024.
Moreover, the logistics-sharing agreement enables logistic support, supplies, and services between the UK and Indian Armed Forces, facilitating joint training, exercises, port visits, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
Looking ahead, both nations plan to conduct more complex exercises, culminating in a landmark joint exercise by 2030, reinforcing their shared objectives of safeguarding critical trade routes and upholding the international rules-based system.