INS Mysore reached Lumut Naval Base in Malaysia on September 9, 2026, to take part in Exercise Samudra Laksamana 4/26, a bilateral naval exercise between India and Malaysia. The exercise brings together the Indian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Navy for professional exchanges, tactical discussions, ship visits and activities designed to improve coordination at sea.

The participation of INS Mysore highlights the growing maritime relationship between India and Malaysia. It also comes during the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation 2026, which places greater focus on stronger maritime partnerships, regional security and cooperation among countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

INS Mysore Arrives in Malaysia

INS Mysore is a Delhi-class guided-missile destroyer of the Indian Navy. The warship reached Lumut Naval Base, one of the important naval facilities of the Royal Malaysian Navy, ahead of the exercise.

The arrival of the Indian warship provides an opportunity for personnel from both navies to interact and exchange professional knowledge. Such visits and joint exercises help naval forces understand each other’s procedures and improve their ability to work together during maritime operations.

The exercise is also part of India’s wider efforts to strengthen defence and maritime relations with friendly countries in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions.

What Is Exercise Samudra Laksamana?

Exercise Samudra Laksamana is a bilateral maritime exercise conducted between the Indian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Navy. The 2026 edition, Samudra Laksamana 4/26, is the fourth iteration of the exercise.

The drill includes several professional activities rather than being limited to combat training. These activities include tactical briefings, professional interactions and cross-ship visits. Naval personnel can use these activities to share operational experiences and understand the working methods followed by the other navy.

Bilateral exercises such as Samudra Laksamana are important because maritime security often requires countries to communicate and coordinate with one another.

Royal Malaysian Navy Takes Part

The Royal Malaysian Navy formally received INS Mysore at Lumut Naval Base. The Malaysian delegation was led by Captain Mohd Husni bin Aris RMN, Director of Planning and Contingency at Western Fleet Command Headquarters.

Two Malaysian warships are scheduled to participate in the exercise. They are KD Lekir and KD Gagah Samudera.

The participation of ships from both countries allows naval personnel to conduct joint activities and develop a better understanding of maritime operations. It also creates opportunities for sailors and officers to interact directly with their counterparts.

Role of INS Mysore

INS Mysore is a major surface combatant of the Indian Navy and belongs to the Delhi class of guided-missile destroyers. The class was designed to perform multiple roles at sea.

A guided-missile destroyer can support different types of naval missions, including anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare. This multi-role capability allows such warships to operate in a wide range of maritime situations.

The deployment of INS Mysore to Malaysia therefore adds an important Indian naval presence to the exercise. Its participation also provides an opportunity for Indian and Malaysian naval personnel to learn from each other through practical and professional engagement.

Strengthening India-Malaysia Maritime Relations

The INS Mysore deployment reflects India’s continuing efforts to deepen defence cooperation with Malaysia. India and Malaysia share important maritime interests because both countries are connected to the wider Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific maritime environment.

Regular naval exercises help build trust between participating forces. They also improve communication and coordination, which can be useful during humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, maritime surveillance and other operations.

For India, engagement with Southeast Asian countries is an important part of its wider Act East Policy. Maritime cooperation is one of the areas where India has been increasing its engagement with countries in the region.

Focus on Maritime Cooperation in 2026

The exercise is taking place in the context of the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation 2026. ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, plays an important role in regional cooperation in Southeast Asia.

India has been working to expand its maritime engagement with ASEAN countries through naval exercises, port visits, information sharing and other forms of cooperation. These activities support India’s broader interest in maintaining a free, open and secure maritime environment.

The Samudra Laksamana exercise with Malaysia fits into this larger regional effort. It allows the two navies to maintain regular contact and strengthen their professional relationship.

Building Better Coordination at Sea

Modern maritime security involves more than the activities of a single navy. Countries often need to cooperate to respond to common challenges at sea. Joint exercises provide a controlled environment where naval forces can practise communication, coordination and operational procedures.

The participation of INS Mysore in Samudra Laksamana 4/26 gives India and Malaysia another opportunity to strengthen this cooperation. Cross-ship visits and tactical briefings can help officers and sailors become familiar with each other’s systems, procedures and professional practices.

The exercise also demonstrates the importance of regular naval engagement in maintaining strong defence relationships in the Indian Ocean region.

A Wider Indo-Pacific Connection

India’s growing maritime engagement with Southeast Asian countries is closely linked to the wider Indo-Pacific region. The Indian Navy regularly participates in exercises and professional exchanges with partner countries to strengthen maritime cooperation.

Malaysia is an important partner in Southeast Asia, and naval cooperation between the two countries provides a platform for continued engagement. The arrival of INS Mysore at Lumut Naval Base for Samudra Laksamana 4/26 adds to this continuing relationship.

Through exercises like this, India and Malaysia can improve professional ties between their naval forces while supporting wider regional cooperation and maritime security.