Canada warship on 4-day Mumbai visit

HMCS Regina is conducting maritime security operations as part of Operation Artemis, Canada's contribution to Combined Task Force (CTF) 150.

Operation Artemis is the Canadian Forces' participation in maritime security and counter-terrorism operations in the Arabian Sea region with the multinational CTF 150.

The Royal Canadian Navy is collaborating with many partner nations to promote peace and security in the region, a senior official told reporters on board the ship.

The ship is slated to participate in joint exercises with the Indian Navy, he said.

"In the coming years, we want to engage more with Indian Navy and Ministry of Defence," he said.

During the current visit, the Royal Canadian Navy personnel will interact and work with their Indian Navy counterparts.

The Commander, Royal Canadian Navy, Vice Admiral Paul Maddison, is slated to visit the ship in Mumbai.

The last visit of the warship to India was in August last year at Kochi. It left Canada on July 3 last year and is scheduled to return to the home port in mid-March.

HMCS Regina is a Halifax Class frigate with a crew of 250 personnel, including a CH-124 Sea King helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle detachment.

During the current deployment, HMCS Regina's task is to detect, deter and protect against terrorist activity by patrolling and conducting maritime security operations.