**Summary:**
On August 30, 2025, Indian Naval Ships INS Tamal and INS Surat concluded a port call in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, following a Passage Exercise with Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF) Corvette HMS Jazan. The visit, which underscores India's commitment to strengthening defense collaboration with Saudi Arabia, included extensive engagement with the RSNF and Saudi Border Guard through sports fixtures and personnel interaction. Key events during the port call included a visit by the Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, onboard the ships on August 28, 2025. The Commanding Officers of INS Tamal and INS Surat met with RAdm Mansour Bin Saud AlJuaid, Western Fleet Commander of RSNF, and Maj Gen Fahad Bin Majid AlDuajani, Commander of the Royal Saudi Border Guard in Mecca Region, to discuss non-traditional security challenges in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean Region. Both sides acknowledged the necessity of joint operations and enhanced information sharing. INS Tamal hosted a cultural program attended by senior Saudi officials, representatives from the Embassy of India, Riyadh, and members of the Indian diaspora. The engagement provided an opportunity for both navies to share best practices and explore further avenues for collaboration. This information was released by PIB Delhi on September 1, 2025, at 5:02 PM (Release ID: 2162728).
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: The government ministry responsible for defence.
INDIAN NAVAL SHIPS TAMAL AND SURAT: Indian Naval Ships that departed Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Port city in Saudi Arabia where the ships made a port call.
HMS Jazan: RSNF Corvette that participated in a Passage Exercise with the Indian Naval Ships.
Royal Saudi Naval Force: The naval force of Saudi Arabia, also referred to as RSNF.
H.E. Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan: The Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
RAdm Mansour Bin Saud AlJuaid: Western Fleet Commander of RSNF.
Indian Ocean Region: Geopolitical region where security challenges were discussed.
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN NAVAL
SHIPS TAMAL AND SURAT DEPART JEDDAH,
SAUDI ARABIA
Carried out Passage Exercise with HMS Jazan of the
RSNF
Posted On: 01 SEP 2025 5:02PM by PIB Delhi
Indian Naval warships INS Tamal and INS Surat concluded their port call at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 30 Aug
2025. The ships participated in a Passage Exercise with RSNF Corvette HMS Jazan and thereafter continued
with their planned deployment.
During the port call, the ships engaged extensively with the Royal Saudi Naval Force and Saudi Border Guard
through sports fixtures and personnel interaction. The ships also hosted the Ambassador of India to the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan, onboard on 28 Aug 2025.
The Commanding Officers of INS Tamal and INS Surat called on RAdm Mansour Bin Saud Al-Juaid,
Western Fleet Commander of RSNF, and Maj Gen Fahad Bin Majid Al-Duajani, Commander of the Royal
Saudi Border Guard in Mecca Region.
Both sides deliberated on non-traditional security challenges in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean Region. The
need for joint operations and extensive information sharing was recognised by both sides.
INS Tamal hosted a cultural program onboard, which was attended by senior Saudi officials, functionaries
from the Embassy of India, Riyadh and eminent members of the Indian diaspora.
The visit underscores India’s commitment to strengthening defence collaboration and friendly ties with Saudi
Arabia. It also provided an opportunity for both navies to share Best Practices and explore avenues for further
engagements._______________________________________________________________
VM/SPS 172/25
(Release ID: 2162728)