Navy deploys warships to South China Sea HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Navy deploys warships to South China Sea

• HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times, New Delhi
 |  
• Updated: May 19, 2016 01:43 IST

Guided missile stealth frigates INS Satpura and Sahyadri, fleet support ship INS Shakti and guided missile corvette INS Kirch will be part of the deployment. (File Photo)

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Four Indian warships left for an operational deployment to the South China Sea and North West Pacific on Wednesday. During the two-and-a-half month deployment, the warships will make port calls at Cam Rahn Bay (Vietnam), Subic Bay (Philippines), Sasebo (Japan), Busan (South Korea), Vladivostok (Russia) and Port Klang (Malaysia). 

China is likely to keep a close eye on the deployment as Beijing seeks to control the South China Sea and is locked in intractable disputes with several countries that claim parts of the sea.

A navy spokesperson said the move will serve as a demonstration of the navy’s “operational reach and commitment to India’s “Act East’ policy.” Guided missile stealth frigates INS Satpura and Sahyadri, fleet support ship INS Shakti and guided missile corvette INS Kirch will be part of the deployment.