Seychelles represented at International Fleet Review 2016 |16 February 2016
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Rosette, the Chief of Staff of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF) and Lieutenant Colonel Simon Dine, the Commanding Officer of the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) attended the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2016 held in India from February 4-8, 2016.
Seychelles was represented at this event by patrol ship Topaz with a crew of 17 SCG sailors, under the Command of Lieutenant Lyndon Lablache. This second IFR was organised by the Indian Navy and hosted by the Eastern Naval Command in the Bay of Bengal, off Andhra Pradesh.
Over 24 foreign naval chiefs attended the mega event conducted at Visakhapatnam, with the involvement of vessels from more than 50 nations. International Fleet Review 2016 is an international military exercise hosted and conducted by Indian Navy on behalf of the President of India. Its objective is to enhance mutual trust and confidence with neighbouring navies by inviting their ships to take part in the event.
On February 6, there was a ceremonial fleet review and fly-by overseen by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, and a parade of ships attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On February 7, India's Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar inaugurated a two-day international maritime conference on the theme ‘Partnering together for a secure maritime future’.
The exercise concluded on February 8, with the involvement of 90 ships. Over 75 helicopters of various types, including hawk jet fighters, exhibited their talent in the Bay of Bengal.
The first IFR was held on India's west coast in Mumbai in 2001. IFR-16 was held at a much larger scale with the Indian Navy showcasing its impressive maritime capabilities.
The crew of PS Topaz also took part in the IFR march past in the city of Visakhapatnam which was watched by the Indian Prime Minister Modi.
During their stay in India, Lt Col Rosette and Lt Col Dine also paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, Admiral Robin K Dhowan.
