The exercise provided an opportunity for both navies to test their operational readiness
India and Bangladesh conducted the joint naval exercise Bongosagar 2025 along with the India-Bangladesh Navy Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) in the Bay of Bengal earlier this week. The exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability between the two navies, fostering tactical coordination, and strengthening maritime security cooperation in the region. 

The Indian Navy was represented by INS Ranvir, a guided missile destroyer, while the Bangladesh Navy deployed BNS Abu Ubaidah.

The exercise underscored the commitment of both navies to regional stability and security. By focusing on information sharing, tactical drills, and coordinated operations, Bongosagar 25 facilitated collaborative responses to maritime threats, including piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing.

A Spokesperson for the Indian Navy stated, "The enhanced synergy of naval operations between the two navies is a testament to the shared commitment of countering global security challenges and maintaining stability in the region, furthering India's 'Security And Growth for All in the Region' (SAGAR) initiative."

The exercise provided an opportunity for both navies to test their operational readiness, ensuring they can respond effectively to threats in the Bay of Bengal and beyond.

Operational Highlights: What Made Exercise Bongosagar 25 Special?
The exercise involved a series of complex and advanced naval operations, including:
  • Surface firing drills: Live-fire exercises to enhance combat readiness and precision targeting.
  • Tactical maneuvers: Joint fleet operations to test coordinated response strategies and improve navigation capabilities in dynamic environments.
  • Underway replenishment: Simulated refueling and supply exchange while at sea, critical for sustaining prolonged maritime missions.
  • Visit-Board-Search-Seizure (VBSS) drills: Cross-boarding operations to counter piracy, illegal trafficking, and smuggling threats.
  • Communication drills: Secure information-sharing protocols between naval units to ensure seamless coordination in real-time scenarios.
  • Professional quizzes: Ops team and junior officers engaged in knowledge-based evaluations to enhance theoretical and practical expertise.
  • Steam past: A ceremonial passage maneuver symbolizing naval unity and cooperation.
 

The India-Bangladesh CORPAT, conducted alongside Bongosagar 25, further reinforced maritime domain awareness in the Bay of Bengal, ensuring swift and effective responses to emerging threats at sea. The initiative aligns with India’s broader Act East Policy and strengthens defense ties with Bangladesh, a key maritime partner.

By participating in these joint exercises, both navies reaffirmed their dedication to maintaining freedom of navigation and countering non-traditional security threats such as illegal fishing, arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and human trafficking.

Additionally, the exercise saw coordinated helicopter operations, where naval aviation assets from both sides practiced search and rescue (SAR) missions, aerial reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) drills. These drills highlight the increasing complexity of India-Bangladesh naval engagements, reflecting a growing trust and operational synergy between the two forces.