Strengthening Maritime Bonds: What is AIKEYME?
India-Africa Naval Exercise AIKEYME: Strengthening Maritime Security and Strategic Ties: The Indian Navy is set to launch a maritime defence exercise called AIKEYME, short for Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement, off the coast of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. This initiative, co-hosted by India and the Tanzania Peoples Defence Force, is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision, which emphasizes Maritime Security and Growth for All in the Region. AIKEYME brings together 10 African nations in a show of solidarity for safer seas and strategic partnership.
Core Goals: Security, Collaboration, and Readiness
The main objective of AIKEYME is to tackle maritime threats such as piracy, illegal fishing, and unregulated maritime activity in the Indian Ocean. It encourages regional collaboration through information sharing and surveillance operations. The Indian Navy aims to build capacity in African navies by enhancing their operational readiness, coordination skills, and strategic awareness. Exercises like AIKEYME highlight India’s long-term vision of collective maritime security.
Two-Phase Format: Harbour and Sea Operations
AIKEYME will span six days, divided into the harbour phase and sea phase. The harbour phase will focus on table-top discussions, training in seamanship, and counter-piracy drills including Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations. The sea phase will feature live search and rescue drills, small-arms firing, and helicopter operations, showcasing real-time coordination and tactical execution among navies from Tanzania, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa.
IOS Sagar and INS Sunayna: India’s Strategic Deployment
Running parallel to AIKEYME, the Indian Navy has launched the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar initiative. Under this, INS Sunayna has been deployed to the southwest Indian Ocean, carrying a mixed crew from India and nine African nations. This mission boosts joint operational capacity and serves as a floating platform for training and collaboration, reinforcing India’s maritime diplomacy and trust-building in the region.
Building Skills: Kochi-Based Training for African Officers
Ahead of the joint deployment, African naval personnel will undergo a two-week training capsule at Indian naval schools in Kochi. These sessions focus on technical skills, leadership, and mission-specific training, preparing the officers for interoperable operations aboard INS Sunayna. This approach blends capacity building with practical exposure, laying the foundation for future India-Africa defence collaboration.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT
India-Africa Naval Exercise AIKEYME: Strengthening Maritime Security and Strategic Ties:
| Aspect | Details |
| Exercise Name | AIKEYME (Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement) |
| Location | Off Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania |
| Participating Countries | 10 African nations including Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa |
| Indian Initiative | MAHASAGAR: Maritime Security and Growth for All in Region |
| Indian Ship Involved | INS Sunayna |
| Parallel Programme | Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar |
| Training Base | Indian Naval Schools, Kochi |
| Key Focus Areas | Anti-piracy, Search & Rescue, Maritime Surveillance |
| Strategic Goal | Enhance regional security and counter Chinese influence |
