Article Posted on : - Jan 30, 2012

CHENNAI (PTI): As part of strengthening their working level relationship and refine operating procedures, Indian Coast Guard and its Japanese counterpart on Sunday conducted a joint exercise 'Sahyog Kaijin XI' off Chennai port.

Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan, Director General of the Indian Coast Guard and Admiral Hisayasu Suzuki, Commandant of the Japan Coast Guard witnessed the exercises.

Eight Coast Guard ships, two interceptor boats, an equal number of hovercrafts besides three Dornier aircraft and three Chetak helicopters took part in the exercise with the Japanese Coast Guard Ship Settsu (PLH-07).

A Singapore delegation from 'Regional Co-operation Agreement to Combat piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea in Asia' also witnessed the exercise, a release said.

The exercise was part of the ongoing series of joint exercises based on memorandum of co-operation between Indian Coast Guard and Japanese Coast Guard in 2006.