The Indian navy warship INS Sumedha, a Saryu-class patrol vessel, has made a historic visit to Kenya’s port of Lamu, the first ever by an Indian naval ship. The ship arrived at the port on 9 December 2023, as part of its long-range deployment to Africa.
The port of Lamu, located near the Kenya/Somalia border, is a new and strategic maritime hub that was inaugurated in May 2021. It is expected to boost trade and connectivity in the region, as well as enhance security and stability.
INS Sumedha is the third of the four Saryu-class patrol ships, designed and built indigenously by the Goa Shipyard Limited in India. The ship is capable of performing a variety of missions, such as fleet support, coastal and offshore patrol, surveillance, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The ship is equipped with a 76 mm gun, close-in weapon systems, CHAFF launchers, and a helicopter landing deck.
The ship is part of the Indian navy’s Eastern Naval Command, based at Visakhapatnam, and is commanded by Commander Kapil Mehta. The ship has a crew of 108 personnel, including 14 officers.
During its visit to Lamu, the ship’s personnel engaged in a number of interactions with their counterparts in the Kenya Navy, such as deck visits, sporting events, a joint yoga session, a deck reception, and various other planned activities. The visit also provided an opportunity for the ship to replenish its logistics and fuel.
The visit of INS Sumedha to Lamu is a reflection of the growing maritime cooperation and friendship between India and Kenya, as well as the Indian navy’s commitment to enhancing maritime security and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
The ship’s previous stops in Africa included Egypt, where it participated in the multinational exercise Bright Star 2023, Nigeria, Namibia, and Mozambique. The ship will continue its deployment to other African countries, before returning to India. Recently, India conducted its first-ever trilateral Navy exercise with Africa, involving the navies of India, Tanzania, and Mozambique. This exercise included various professional disciplines and focused on handling asymmetric threats, boat and helicopter operations, casualty evacuation drills, fire-fighting exercises, and visit board search and seizure (VBSS) drills. It highlighted India’s determination to expand defence partnerships with African nations.
One of the core motivations behind increased Indian involvement in Africa is to counter China’s increasing presence in the region. Over the past 25 years, China has been steadily expanding its footprint. The Indian Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, highlighted this during a discussion at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York . The growth of the Chinese Navy has raised concerns, particularly in Indian security circles.