Seychelles and India in joint military training |16 February 2016

Seychelles and India will be undertaking its annual military training dubbed ‘Lamitye-2016’ (Friendship), which involves lectures, demonstrations and practice sessions.

The exercise falls within the framework of an agreed joint programme to share useful experiences and to improve the two forces’ ability to inter-operate and communicate.

The two-week training programme has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of the Seychelles People’s Defence Force’s (SPDF) special forces.

The joint exercise was officially launched by the chief of staff of the SPDF Lieutenant Colonel Michael Rosette during a short ceremony yesterday at the Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA) on South East Island.

Also present at the ceremony were the chief of defence forces Brigadier Leopold Payet, commanding officers of the SPDF and other senior officers of both forces.

In his address to launch the exercise, Lt Col. Rosette said such exercise will make the relationship between Seychelles and India stronger.

“The comprehensive programme which comprises both theoretical and practical exercises will without doubt contribute immensely to not only benefit you as participants by increasing your military skills and knowledge, but it will further cement the existing bond that exists between our two forces,” he said.

He added that such exercise will involve scenarios of today’s problems such as counter-insurgency, search and rescue and many more.

“The theme of this years’ exercise and the settings are contemporary and aim at addressing evolving scenarios of today’s fluid world order characterised by acts of destabilisation perpetuated by non-state actors. The exercise setting has been adapted to as much as possible represent or mimic anticipated threats within the confines of our jurisdiction and possible means and measures at our disposal,” he added.

He also pointed out that the Seychelles Coast Guard, Air Force and Special Forces will also be represented and integrated within the exercise.

India and Seychelles have been conducting joint exercises since 2001. The name ‘Lamitye’ helps in building bridges of friendship between the Indian defence forces and that of Seychelles.