NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, AUG 9

As maritime threats grow increasingly complex, the Indian Navy and US Navy are sharpening a specialised line of defence beneath the waves and across the maritime battlespace, with elite Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and diving teams set to train together at Kochi in a focused five-day exercise aimed at turning shared expertise into greater operational readiness.

The Indian Navyโ€“US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Exercise 2026 will be conducted at Southern Naval Command, Kochi, from August 10 to 14, with the bilateral engagement designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen professional cooperation between specialist diving and EOD teams of the two navies.

  • Specialised bilateral exercise to begin at Kochiโ€™s Southern Naval Command from August 10
  • Five-day engagement to feature expert exchanges, cross-training, equipment demonstrations and practical drills
  • Eighth edition builds on Indiaโ€“US Salvage and EOD cooperation dating back to 2005
  • Exercise to deepen interoperability and strengthen response to complex maritime EOD challenges

Five days of specialised training and knowledge exchange

The exercise will feature a comprehensive programme of Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), cross-training, equipment demonstrations and scenario-based practical exercises.

The engagement will provide both navies an opportunity to exchange contemporary EOD methodologies, emerging technologies and Best Practices, while gaining insights into each otherโ€™s capabilities, operational concepts and employment philosophies.

The practical component will enable personnel to test and refine procedures in realistic scenarios, strengthening their preparedness to respond to complex and evolving EOD challenges.

From shared expertise to operational synergy

The exercise is aimed not merely at exchanging knowledge but at translating that expertise into greater operational synergy.

Collaborative learning will allow personnel from both navies to deepen mutual understanding, refine procedures and strengthen their ability to respond effectively to demanding EOD situations.

The specialised nature of the engagement is particularly significant as EOD operations require highly trained personnel, precision procedures and the ability to operate safely in potentially hazardous maritime environments.

A partnership forged through two decades of EOD cooperation

The Indian Navy and US Navy have been conducting joint Salvage and EOD exercises since 2005, establishing a sustained framework for cooperation in specialised maritime operations.

The forthcoming engagement will mark the eighth edition of this specialised bilateral training exercise, reflecting the enduring commitment of both navies to enhancing interoperability, sharing operational expertise and strengthening cooperation.

The exercise thus adds another chapter to the expanding Indiaโ€“US defence partnership, with specialised training serving as a vital bridge between the two maritime forces.

Building readiness for an evolving maritime battlespace

Beyond the five-day programme, the exercise carries a larger strategic message: modern maritime security increasingly demands specialised capabilities, technological awareness and seamless cooperation between trusted partners.

By bringing together specialist diving and EOD personnel, the two navies will seek to strengthen their ability to understand, train for and respond to evolving operational challenges.

For India and the United States, the objective is clearโ€”turn shared knowledge into sharper skills, stronger interoperability and greater readiness at sea.