The Indian and US navies have concluded a five-day exercise in Kochi aimed at strengthening cooperation in explosive ordnance disposal and specialised maritime operations…reports Asian Lite News Desk
The Indian and United States navies have strengthened cooperation in specialised maritime operations after concluding a five-day explosive ordnance disposal exercise in Kochi, the Indian Ministry of Defence has said.
The eighth edition of the IN-USN Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exercise 2026 concluded at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi on August 14, bringing together specialist teams from both navies for professional exchanges and practical training.
According to the India’s Ministry of Defence, the bilateral engagement involved intensive professional interaction, exchanges of best practices and demonstrations by teams from the two countries. The exercise provided personnel with a platform to share knowledge across various aspects of explosive ordnance disposal operations and to examine methods for dealing with contemporary maritime threats.
The five-day programme comprised Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, cross-training, equipment demonstrations and scenario-based practical exercises.
The expert exchanges covered real-time threats from Improvised Explosive Devices, render-safe procedures, mine neutralisation and the employment of unmanned underwater systems. The cross-training phase focused on a range of diving disciplines, including wreck location and salvage. Personnel were also trained to use specialist equipment and to carry out slithering operations.
The Ministry of Defence said the programme facilitated the exchange of contemporary EOD methodologies, emerging technologies and best practices. It also allowed both sides to gain a better understanding of each other’s capabilities, operational concepts and employment philosophies.
Explosive ordnance disposal teams are trained to locate, identify and safely deal with explosive devices and other hazardous ordnance. Their work can include responding to mines and improvised explosive devices as well as supporting underwater and salvage operations. The Kochi exercise combined technical exchanges with practical training, allowing Indian and US personnel to work alongside each other in specialised scenarios.
The ministry said the joint training enhanced the professional competence and skill sets of the diving teams while fostering greater mutual understanding and interoperability. The latest engagement builds on more than two decades of cooperation between the two navies in this area. The Indian Navy and US Navy have been conducting joint Salvage and EOD exercises since 2005.
This year’s programme marked the eighth edition of the specialised bilateral exercise, with the training increasingly focused on sharing expertise and improving the ability of personnel from the two navies to operate together.
The exercise also reflected the growing role of technology in maritime ordnance disposal, with unmanned underwater systems forming part of the exchanges alongside established diving, salvage and mine-neutralisation techniques.
The Ministry of Defence said the successful completion of the exercise underscored the commitment of both navies to strengthening operational synergy and cooperation in specialised maritime operations.
The engagement concluded after five days of exchanges and practical drills at the Southern Naval Command, with both sides focusing on interoperability, operational expertise and specialist maritime skills.
