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Two frigates, the Hellenic Navy’s Limnos and the Indian Navy’s guided-missile INS Trishul (F-43), conducted a joint naval exercise in the northern Cretan Sea over the recent period, marking the culmination of the Indian warship’s visit to Crete.

The Passage Exercise (PASSEX) took place on Wednesday following the departure of INS Trishul from the Souda Bay naval anchorage. The exercise involved advanced maneuvering and tactical communications, allowing the two crews to practice coordination and improve operational interoperability.

The Indian frigate, a Talwar-class warship, arrived at Souda Bay on Oct. 31 during an ongoing deployment to the Mediterranean. Its previous port call was in Italy, where it had also engaged in naval cooperation activities.

During its stay in Crete, Indian defense attaché Col. Gaurav Chaudhry and the ship’s commanding officer, Capt. Charit Kapil, paid a courtesy visit to the commander of the Cretan Naval Station, Rear Adm. Athanasios Douros.

The visit also included professional exchanges and familiarization activities involving the Indian crew and facilities at the Souda Bay naval support installation and NATO’s Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC).

The exercise followed a port call that began on Oct. 31, when INS Trishul arrived from Civitavecchia, Italy. Before reaching the Italian port on Oct. 25, the Indian frigate had conducted a PASSEX with the Italian Navy’s frigate Carlo Margottini. It completed its Italian tour on Oct. 28 and subsequently continued its Mediterranean deployment to Crete.

The joint naval exercise forms part of a broader expansion of military cooperation between the two countries. Their defense relationship was upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2023, followed by a defense cooperation agreement and an expanded program of joint military activities.

Cooperation has included reciprocal participation in major air force exercises.

Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighters participated in Greece’s INIOCHOS exercises, including the 2025 edition at Andravida Air Base, while four Greek F-16 Block 52+ advanced fighters took part in India’s multinational Tarang Shakti 2024 exercise at Jodhpur, accompanied by two C-130 transport aircraft.

The latest naval exercise also follows the Indian Navy’s increased operational presence in the Mediterranean, where it has been conducting port calls and joint activities with European partner navies. Such engagements provide opportunities to improve interoperability, exchange operational experience and strengthen cooperation in maritime security.