Australian war ship in Kochi on 2 day visit

: Australian Naval ship HMAS Newcastle, an Adelaide Class Frigate,on its way for deployment in the Gulf of Aden, arrived here today on a two-day visit.
The ship, commanded by Commander Paul O'Grady, was received at the entrance of the harbour by INS Kabra, a Defence press release said.
Officials from the Southern Naval Command accompanied by the Southern Naval Command Band received the ship formally at the pier.
The Commanding Officer of HMAS Newcastle accompanied by the Australian Consul General at Chennai and Australian Defence Attache based in New Delhi called on Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command.

Mutual visits to the visiting ship and training facilities of Southern Naval Command, professional exchanges as well as social interactions were on the schedule drawn up for the visiting Australian warship, it said.
INS Sharda of Southern Naval Command will undertake a PASSEX - a basic manoeuvring exercise - with HMAS Newcastle off Kochi when she departs on Friday.