By IRNA
New Delhi : Three German naval warships, including an Air Defence ship, arrived at Kochi, Kerala state on Saturday on a four-day visit to participate in joint exercises with the Indian Navy.
The German Task Force, comprising ships FGS Hamburg, FGS Koeln and FGS Berline with captain Michael Budde as the commander Task Force, berthed at the Kochi port today, PTI reported here.
German Ambassador Bernd Motzelburg and Rear Admiral Karl W Bollow, Flotilla Commander will also be at Kochi during the ship’s visit.
FGS Hamburg with Lt Commander Helge Risch as her captain, an Air Defence ship about 470 feet in length and a crew of 242 personnel, while FGS Koeln, under Lt commander Uwe MaaB, is a 426 foot long frigate with about 208 personnel.
FGS Berlin is a replenishment Tanker, 528 feet long and manned by a crew of about 207 and commanded by Lt commander Hans Gunther Struck.
During the ships visit, senior German Navy officers would call on the Flag Officer Commanding-in-chief Southern Naval command Vice Admiral Sunil K Damle and chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Sunil Lamba.
The ships crew will visit training schools in the Kochi naval base and participate in sports fixtures with the Indian Navy.
Interaction between the personnel of the two navies and visit of Indian Navy Officers to these ships has also been scheduled, before their departure on April 8.