INS Kochi visits Maldives, hands over refitted MNDF ship Huravee

New Delhi, Apr 30: Indian Navy’s guided missile destroyer INS Kochi arrived in Malé on Sunday, bringing along the Maldives Coast Guard ship Huravee, which had completed a four-month refit at India’s Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. The Huravee, operated by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), underwent scheduled maintenance from December 2024 to April 2025 under an ongoing defence cooperation programme with the island nation.

At a formal handover ceremony at the MNDF Coast Guard Jetty, G. Balasubramanian, High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, handed over Huravee to Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, Chief of Defence Force, MNDF. The event was attended by senior officials from both countries and reaffirmed India’s long-standing support to the Maldivian military. INS Kochi’s visit highlights the Indian Navy’s commitment to strengthening maritime ties and promoting peace, security, and freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean Region. The ship received a warm welcome from Maldivian authorities upon arrival.

During its stay in Malé, INS Kochi’s commanding officer, Captain Mahesh C. Moudgil, paid courtesy calls on Major General Ibrahim Hilmy and Brigadier General Mohammed Saleem, Commandant of the MNDF Coast Guard. In addition to official meetings, the visit includes a series of professional interactions, cross-deck visits, and friendly sports fixtures between personnel of the Indian Navy and MNDF, reflecting the spirit of camaraderie between the two maritime forces.

Commissioned in September 2015, INS Kochi is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet under the Western Naval Command based in Mumbai. It is among India’s most advanced stealth destroyers and plays a vital role in maintaining maritime stability in the region. The refit and return of Huravee is part of India’s broader effort to assist neighbouring countries in strengthening their naval capabilities under the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) doctrine.