Article Posted on : - Dec 17, 2012

Indian Navy's newest guided missile frigate INS Tarkash during its commissioning at Russia's Yantar Shipyard in November, 2012. The warship docked at Saudi Arabia's Jeddah Islamic seaport on December 15.

DUBAI (PTI): India is seeking to enhance maritime relations with Saudi Arabia and is making efforts to maintain security in the high seas, Indian envoy to the kingdom nation has said.

Hamid Ali Rao said India and Saudi Arabia share the strategic Arabian Sea where navies from both countries have a greater role to play.

He said that Saudi Arabian Royal Navy ships HMS Dammam and HMS Yanbu had paid goodwill visit to India in the past and Indian Navy ships Tir, Shardul and Veera visited Saudi Arabian ports on goodwill missions to strengthen ties between the two countries.

Addressing the media at newly commissioned Indian Navy warship Tarkash that docked at Jeddah Islamic seaport on Saturday, the ambassador said India and Saudi Arabia have common interest in ensuring security, stability and freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean region including all adjoining seas.

"The Tarkash is sophisticated and an important component of the Indian Navy," Commanding officer of the ship Capt Antony George was quoted by Arab News as saying.

The ship is a guided-missile frigate that was built in Kaliningrad, Russia and commissioned last month. The ship is packed with a high density of weapons and sensors and is manned by a crew of 253 personnel.

Capt Antony said that it is one of the most potent platforms of the Indian Navy. It carries cutting-edge modern weaponry which includes surface-to-air missiles, supersonic BRAHMOS anti-ship missiles, upgraded 100MM medium-range gun, an optically controlled 30MM close-in weapon system, anti-submarine and anti-ship torpedoes and also rocket launchers.

It has two helicopter bases. It is capable of operating both the air early-warning helicopter and anti-submarine warfare helicopter.

India currently deploys an exclusive ship to combat and patrol piracy in Indian Ocean area and if required, the Tarkash also can be deployed.

Capt Antony George said that the ship, after delivery and commissioning, passed through Celtic Sea, the United Kingdom, Spain, Port Said in Egypt and then through Suez Canal it embarked for Red Sea.

It docked at Jeddah Islamic Port on Friday from where it will cross the Gulf of Aden. On way to Mumbai, it will pay a visit to Salalah port in Oman.