INS Saryu Participating in ARF Disaster Relief Exercise

The aim of ARF DiREx-15 is to exercise information sharing and networking among national agencies of this region towards providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) during natural calamities like Earthquakes, Tsunami, etc as well as Search and Rescue (SAR) for ships and aircraft lost at sea.

Disaster management continues to be a vital area for cooperation in the region. A consensus has thus emerged on the need to better mitigate, manage and respond to natural and man-made disasters due to the constant dialogue within ARF.

"This exercise, being conducted in Penang, Northern Malaysia from 24 to 28 May 2015 would have participation from China, Malaysia, Thailand and India. Co-hosted by Malaysia and China, DiREx-15 would include Field Training Exercises like Collapsed Structure, Mass Evacuation, Chemical Leakage (HAZMAT), Road Traffic Accident, After Action Review and Search & Rescue Operations. The marine component of the exercise would include Search and Rescue operations using a simulated maritime incident, and would include helicopter operations to locate survivors as well as diving operations to evacuate trapped personnel. This is the third edition of DiREx with the previous two held in Philippines (2009) and Indonesia (2011)," the government said in a statement.

INS Saryu, the naval offshore patrol vessel is commanded by Cdr Sreekumar Pillai.