Why In News?

Indian Naval Ship INS Sahyadri arrived at Busan Naval Harbour in the Republic of Korea to participate in the bilateral India-Republic of Korea Navy (IN-RoKN) Exercise 

About IN-RoKN Exercise 2026

It is a joint maritime exercise conducted between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN). 

  • Inaugural Edition: The first edition took place in October 2025 at Busan Naval Harbour, South Korea.  

  • Participating Ships:

    • Indian Navy: INS Sahyadri (an indigenously built Shivalik-class guided-missile stealth frigate of the Eastern Fleet).

    • RoKN: ROKS Gyeongnam (in the inaugural edition) and ROKS Munmu the Great (subsequent editions).  

  • Phases of Exercise:

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    • Harbour Phase: Includes cross-deck visits, professional interactions, best-practice sharing, cross-training sessions, and sports fixtures.

    • Sea Phase: Features joint tactical manoeuvres, formation steaming, cross-deck helicopter operations, and seamanship drills.  

  • Strategic Significance:

    • Enhances interoperability, operational coordination, and mutual trust between India and South Korea.

    • Aligns with India's Act East Policy and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.

    • Promotes a free, open, and rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific region.  

About INS Sahyadri

It is an indigenously designed and built Shivalik-class guided-missile stealth frigate of the Indian Navy. 

  • Class & Fleet: Third and final ship of the Project 17 Shivalik-class frigates; based at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command (Eastern Fleet).  

    • Project 17A is a major Indian Navy initiative constructing seven advanced multi-role stealth guided-missile frigates. 

  • Builder & Commissioning: Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai and commissioned in July 2012. 

  • Displacement & Dimensions: Full-load displacement of about 6,200 to 6,800 tonnes, length of 142.5–143 meters, and a beam of 16.9–17 meters. 

  • Propulsion & Speed: Powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) system reaching a top surface speed of 32 knots.

  • Armament: Equipped with BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles, Barak-1 and Shtil-1 air-defense missile systems, a 76mm main gun, AK-630 CIWS, and anti-submarine rocket/torpedo launchers. 

  • Aviation: Accommodates up to two helicopters, such as HAL Dhruv, Sea King, or Chetak.

  • Role & Significance: A symbol of India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat indigenous defense initiative, frequently deployed for regional security, goodwill visits, and international maritime exercises.

Source: PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Exercise IN-RoKN and participating naval assets:

  1. Exercise IN-RoKN is a bilateral naval drill conducted between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Korea Navy.

  2. INS Sahyadri is an indigenously designed Shivalik Class Guided Missile Stealth Frigate built by Mazagon Dock Ltd.

  3. The 2026 exercise was conducted in the Persian Gulf for maritime trade route security.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Exercise IN-RoKN stands for Indian Navy – Republic of Korea Navy and is a bilateral maritime exercise conducted between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Korea Navy.  

Statement 2 is correct: INS Sahyadri (F49) is the third ship of the indigenously designed Shivalik-class multi-role stealth frigates (Project 17), built in Mumbai by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).  

Statement 3 is incorrect: The exercise was conducted at Busan Naval Base and adjoining waters in South Korea (Indo-Pacific region) rather than in the Persian Gulf.