IAF, Coast Guard Take A Literal Deep Dive In ‘Forging Bonds Beneath the Waves’ In First Joint Scuba Dive
The IAF and ICG have projected soft power at sea while reinforcing India’s commitment to sustainable maritime operations. Image courtesy: X.com/@IAF_MCC
For the first time ever, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) displayed a rare inter-service synergy by participating in a joint scuba diving expedition. The same was completed by the IAF and ICG on Thursday (October 16, 2025), in the Arabian Sea, off the Maharashtra–Goa coast.
The mission, titled ‘Forging Bonds Beneath the Waves’, ran from October 8 to 16 and marked a new chapter in operational cooperation between the two forces. It focused not on combat drills, but on marine conservation and combating plastic pollution in vulnerable ocean ecosystems.
Who led and flagged the expedition?
The expedition began on October 8, 2025, flagged off by Deputy Inspector General Manoj Bhatia, Commander of Coast Guard (Goa Area). Upon its completion, the mission was ceremonially flagged in by Air Vice Marshal Manish Khullar, ACAS (Organisation & Ceremonial), highlighting official recognition of the joint effort.
Where did the diving operations take place?
A team of 20 divers from both services embarked aboard ICGS Sujeet, sailing 70–75 nautical miles west of Vijaydurg toward Angria Bank, which is an ecologically rich underwater plateau in the Arabian Sea. The site, a shallow sunken atoll with coral reef formations, is named after legendary Maratha naval commander Kanhoji Angre (spelled “Conajee Angria” by the British).
What was achieved during the mission?
Both services conducted precision dives at Angria Bank to highlight plastic pollution in fragile marine environments, promote oceanic sustainability and ecological responsibility, showcase operational coordination, adventure and camaraderie.
According to the ICG, the venture combined maritime awareness, environmental stewardship, and inter-service bonding, reinforcing the message, “Together, we dive deeper for nation, nature, and unity.”
Why is this expedition strategically relevant?
While non-combat in nature, the exercise underscores several key defence imperatives like stronger inter-service interoperability, enhanced maritime domain presence. environmental responsibility within defence strategy, long-term outreach in India’s littoral zones. By engaging beyond traditional roles, the IAF and ICG have projected soft power at sea while reinforcing India’s commitment to sustainable maritime operations.
