Why in the News?

In a strategic move as part of the Indian Navy’s mission-based deployment to West Africa and the Atlantic, INS Sumedha conducted a port call at Walvis Bay, Namibia recently.

About INS Sumedha:

• INS Sumedha is a Saryu-class, Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) of the Indian Navy.
• It is the third ship of the class to be commissioned and was built by Goa Shipyard Limited in India.
• The ship was commissioned in March 2014.
• INS Sumedha is designed to undertake a variety of missions, including fleet support operations, coastal and offshore patrolling, ocean surveillance, and monitoring of sea lines of communication and offshore assets.
• The ship is also capable of carrying out humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
• INS Sumedha has been deployed on a number of operational missions, including:
• Operation Kaveri, the evacuation of Indian citizens from Sudan in April 2023.
• The ship has also participated in a number of international exercises, including Exercise Bright Star 2023 in Egypt.

About Walvis Bay:

• Walvis Bay is a city on the coast of Namibia, in the Erongo Region.
• It is the second-largest city in Namibia, after Windhoek, and is the capital of the Erongo Region.
• It is a major port city, and is the main port for Namibia.
• The port is home to a number of shipping companies and is a major export center for Namibian goods, such as fish, minerals, and diamonds.
• Originally a German enclave during the colonial era, Walvis Bay became a vital part of Namibia after gaining independence in 1990.
• The official language of the city is English, but Afrikaans, German, and Portuguese are also spoken.