The bilateral naval exercise Al Mohed Al Hindi, a cornerstone of India and Saudi Arabia defense collaboration, has steadily evolved into a symbol of deepening strategic trust and interoperability between the two nations. The second edition of the exercise, held in May 2023 off the coast of Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, marked a significant milestone in this partnership. Building on the success of the inaugural drills in August 2021, the 2023 iteration saw advanced maritime operations, including tactical maneuvers, search and rescue (SAR) simulations, and electronic warfare drills, all aimed at refining joint operational capabilities. The Indian Navy deployed INS Tarkash (a stealth frigate), INS Subhadra (an offshore patrol vessel), and a Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, while the Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF) contributed HMS Badr, HMS Abdul Aziz, an MH-60R helicopter, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The three-day sea phase concluded with a debriefing session and a ceremonial steam-past, underscoring the professionalism and mutual learning achieved during the drills.
The origins of Al Mohed Al Hindi trace back to the 2019 Riyadh Summit, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman laid the groundwork for enhanced defense cooperation. This summit catalyzed the first-ever joint naval exercise in 2021, which featured the Indian Navy’s INS Kochi, a Kolkata-class stealth-guided missile destroyer equipped with advanced sensors and weaponry. The 2021 drills included anti-piracy operations, boarding exercises, and replenishment-at-sea procedures, setting the stage for more complex engagements in subsequent years. By 2023, the scope expanded to incorporate electronic warfare simulations, reflecting the growing sophistication of shared threats in maritime domains such as the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf.
Strategic underpinnings of this collaboration extend beyond naval drills. In 2014, during PM Modi’s visit to Riyadh, the two nations signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defense cooperation, paving the way for joint military training and exchanges. This agreement gained momentum with high-level visits, including Saudi naval cadets undergoing training at India’s Kochi Naval Academy and reciprocal visits by Indian military chiefs to Saudi Arabia. Such initiatives have fostered a culture of trust, enabling Saudi Arabia to prioritize India as a key partner in its defense modernization efforts, particularly under its Saudi Vision 2030 framework, which seeks to diversify the Kingdom’s economic and strategic alliances.
Economic synergies further bolster this relationship. Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth-largest trading partner and a critical energy supplier, while India serves as a vital market for Saudi exports. Collaborative projects like the $15 billion West Coast Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in Maharashtra, jointly developed by Saudi Aramco and Indian oil companies, highlight the intersection of economic and strategic interests. These ventures are complemented by discussions on infrastructure connectivity, such as a proposed India-Gulf railway network, aimed at countering regional geopolitical shifts and enhancing trade efficiency.
The bilateral partnership has also been reinforced through smaller-scale engagements. In August 2023, the Indian Navy’s INS Chennai, an indigenously built guided-missile destroyer, conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Saudi Arabia’s HMS Al Jubail in the Red Sea. This exercise, featuring tactical maneuvers and communication drills, emphasized real-time coordination and interoperability, further solidifying the operational rapport established during Al Mohed Al Hindi. Such interactions underscore the Indian Navy’s expanding footprint in West Asia, where it has cultivated defense ties with Oman, Qatar, and the UAE, positioning Saudi Arabia as a pivotal ally in this network.
Looking ahead, both nations aim to elevate the complexity of their joint exercises, with plans to integrate advanced warfare scenarios and multi-domain operations. The success of Al Mohed Al Hindi 23 has set a precedent for future editions to focus on anti-submarine warfare, cyber-defense mechanisms, and coordinated responses to hybrid threats. These efforts align with the broader objectives of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC), established in 2019, which oversees collaboration across political, security, economic, and cultural spheres.
In a region marked by shifting alliances and security challenges, the India-Saudi naval partnership stands out as a stabilizing force. By combining India’s expertise in indigenized defense technology with Saudi Arabia’s strategic maritime assets, the two nations are not only safeguarding vital sea lanes but also reshaping the contours of regional security. As they prepare for the next chapter of Al Mohed Al Hindi, their collaboration serves as a blueprint for how shared vision and incremental trust-building can translate into enduring geopolitical dividends.
