Two Iranian Naval vessels call at Kochi port

Two Iranian naval ships arrived here today for a five-day training session. The ships -- IRIS Bandar Abbas, a fleet supply ship converted as a training ship and IRIS Lavan, an amphibious ship, called at Kochi this morning,a Naval press release said.

INS Bangaram escorted the ships into the harbour. On arrival at the Kochi port, Chief Staff Officer (Operations) Commodore G V Babu received the ships. An Indian naval band welcomed them.

The ships have 174 cadets, 13 Midshipmen and 18 trainee Sub-Lieutenants, besides their crew of officers and sailors.

Captain Khordad Hakimi, senior officer along with the commanding officers of the ships and other senior officers of the Iranian navy called on Vice Admiral S C S Bangara, Flag Officer Commanding-in-chief Southern Naval command.

The cadets would be visiting various professional training schools of the command. Practical training was also imparted to the trainees in watermanship and on the Ship Handling simulator.

Indian Naval officers visited the two ships. Teams from both navies participated in friendly Football and Volleyball matches.