**Executive Summary**
On May 4, 2026, the Royal Netherlands Navy ship *HNLMS De Ruyter* and a high-level delegation arrived in Kochi to strengthen maritime ties with the Indian Navy’s Southern Naval Command. The visit includes bilateral discussions on maritime cooperation, visits to professional training establishments, and an exploration of industrial shipbuilding opportunities at Cochin Shipyard Limited. The engagement will conclude with a joint Passage Exercise (PASSEX) to enhance operational synergy and interoperability between the two navies.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Arrival and Ceremonial Events**
* The *HNLMS De Ruyter* (F804), a De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate, arrived at Kochi on May 4, 2026, as part of a five-month Indo-Pacific deployment.
* The ship was escorted by Indian Navy Fast Interceptor Craft and received a ceremonial welcome by a Naval Band.
* The delegation, led by Major General Rob De Wit and Ambassador Marisa Gerards, laid wreaths at the Southern Naval Command (SNC) War Memorial to mark the National Remembrance Day of the Netherlands.
**Strategic and Professional Engagement**
* The Netherlands delegation held discussions with Rear Admiral Prakash Gopalan regarding mutual maritime interests and avenues for enhanced cooperation.
* Scheduled bilateral engagements focus on sharing best practices and enhancing training cooperation.
* The delegation is set to visit SNC training establishments to witness advanced simulators and state-of-the-art training infrastructure.
**Industrial and Operational Cooperation**
* A visit to Cochin Shipyard Limited is planned to provide the delegation with insights into India’s shipbuilding capabilities and explore industrial cooperation.
* Professional and social interactions are organized between the personnel of both navies to build rapport.
* Upon departure, *HNLMS De Ruyter* will conduct a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with an Indian Naval ship to strengthen operational synergy.
**Impact Analysis**
**Royal Netherlands Navy**
**Impact**
The visit facilitates a deeper understanding of Indian maritime infrastructure and provides an opportunity to enhance interoperability through joint exercises.
**Action Required**
Participate in the scheduled PASSEX and engage in professional exchanges regarding training and best practices.
**Indian Navy (Southern Naval Command)**
**Impact**
The command serves as the host for high-level diplomacy and showcases its advanced training simulators and infrastructure to a partner nation.
**Action Required**
Facilitate training demonstrations, host bilateral discussions, and coordinate the departure PASSEX.
**Cochin Shipyard Limited**
**Impact**
The shipyard gains a platform to demonstrate India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities to a foreign delegation, potentially opening avenues for future industrial collaboration.
**Action Required**
Provide the visiting delegation with detailed insights and demonstrations of current shipbuilding facilities and capabilities.
Key Entities Referenced
Southern Naval Command (SNC): The Indian Navy's primary operational host for the visit, responsible for coordinating bilateral engagements, professional training sharing, and maritime domain discussions.
Royal Netherlands Navy: The foreign naval entity participating in a long-range Indo-Pacific deployment to strengthen bilateral maritime ties and interoperability with the Indian Navy.
Kochi: The central Indian location for the diplomatic and operational engagements, encompassing the naval harbor, training establishments, and industrial sites.
Passage Exercise (PASSEX): A specific maritime initiative conducted between the Indian and Netherlands navies to enhance operational synergy and interoperability.
Cochin Shipyard Limited: A key industrial entity visited by the foreign delegation to explore avenues for shipbuilding cooperation and industrial partnership.
Ministry of Defence
VISIT OF DEPUTY COMMANDER ROYAL
NETHERLANDS NAVY AND HNLMS DE RUYTER
TO KOCHI
Posted On: 06 MAY 2026 11:50AM by PIB Delhi
Royal Netherlands Navy Ship HNLMS De Ruyter (F804), a De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate, arrived at
Kochi on 04 May 2026.
The ship's visit coincides with that of a high-level delegation comprising Major General (Royal
Marines) Rob De Wit, Deputy Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy (DCN), and Ms Marisa
Gerards, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, to Southern Naval Command (SNC), Kochi.
On arrival at Kochi Harbour, HNLMS De Ruyter was escorted by Fast Interceptor Craft of the Indian Navy
and accorded a ceremonial reception with a Naval Band.
The ship is presently on a five-month long deployment to the Indo-Pacific and will participate in various
maritime exercises with partner nations. The Netherlands naval ship's visit to an Indian port alongside the
naval delegation led by the DCN assumes significance towards stronger and closer maritime ties between
the two nations. The DCN of Royal Netherlands Navy had earlier participated in the IONS Conclave
of Chiefs event as part of MILAN 26, held at Visakhapatnam in Feb 2026.
The Netherlands naval delegation called on RAdm Prakash Gopalan, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval
Command. Discussions covered matters of mutual interest in the maritime domain, including avenues for
enhancing cooperation between the two Navies.
In a significant gesture coinciding with the National Remembrance Day of the Netherlands (04 May), Maj
Gen Rob De Wit and Ambassador Marisa Gerards, laid wreaths at the SNC War Memorial – a solemn
tribute to the fallen.
The Netherlands delegation is also scheduled to engage in a series of bilateral engagements focusing on
enhancing training cooperation and sharing of Best Practices. The delegation will visit various
professional training establishments at Southern Naval Command and witness demonstrations of advanced
simulators and state-of-the-art training infrastructure. The delegation is also scheduled to visit Cochin
Shipyard Limited to gain insights into India’s shipbuilding capabilities and explore avenues for industrial
cooperation. A series of professional and social interactions between personnel of both navies have also
been planned.
On departure from Kochi, HNLMS De Ruyter will undertake a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with an Indian
Naval ship, further strengthening interoperability and operational synergy.****
VM/SPS
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