NEW DELHI — Strengthening maritime cooperation and interoperability between the Indian and South Korean navies, Indian Navy stealth frigate INS Sahyadri has concluded its participation in the India–Republic of Korea Navy (IN–RoKN) bilateral exercise at Busan, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday, IANS reported. 'Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri successfully concluded her participation in the Indian Navy – Republic of Korea Navy (IN-RoKN) Bilateral Exercise at Busan, Republic of Korea, on 29 Oct 2026. The engagement strengthened maritime cooperation and enhanced interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies,' the ministry said in a statement. This follows the earlier development Awaaz Punjab reported when Sahyadri arrived at Busan on October 26 to begin the exercise.

Source: IANS via NewKerala

INS Sahyadri, an indigenously built guided-missile stealth frigate, had arrived at Busan on October 26, where it was welcomed by the South Korean Navy. The ship had come to Busan after the Indra 2026 exercise with the Russian Navy, departing Vladivostok on October 20, IANS reported. The harbour phase facilitated engagement between personnel of the two navies through professional discussions, cross-deck visits, operational briefings and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, while cultural exchanges and sporting engagements fostered camaraderie. During the harbour phase, Indian Ambassador to South Korea Gourangalal Das met the ship's commanding officer and attended an onboard reception, the ministry said.

Source: IANS via NewKerala

Oct 29, 2026Date the IN–RoKN bilateral exercise at Busan concluded
2ndEdition of the India–Republic of Korea Navy bilateral exercise
Oct 26, 2026Date INS Sahyadri arrived at Busan Naval Harbour

Sea phase with ROKS Munmu the Great

'The sea phase translated these professional interactions into practical operational engagements, with INS Sahyadri and ROKS Munmu the Great undertaking coordinated navigation, helo operations and joint maritime manoeuvres,' the ministry said. The Indian Embassy in Seoul said the two ships practised multiple drills including cross-deck helicopter landings and search and rescue off the Busan coast, and that Sahyadri has since set sail for her subsequent mission, IANS reported.

Source: IANS via NewKerala

India Defence Wire, reporting the exercise's end on Tuesday, noted this was the second IN–RoKN bilateral exercise, after the first edition at Busan in October 2025 which also featured INS Sahyadri, and that the frigate is the third ship of the Shivalik class, designed and built in India by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai, commissioned in 2012 and serving with the Eastern Fleet from Visakhapatnam.

Source: India Defence Wire

'The successful completion of the exercise reflects the shared resolve of India and the Republic of Korea to deepen maritime cooperation through sustained engagement and collaboration. Such interactions contribute to mutual trust and support collective efforts towards maintaining peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific,' the ministry statement added.