Which Indian Navy vessel participated in the PASSEX exercise with the Royal New Zealand Navy in the Gulf of Aden in April 2025?

The Indian Navy's stealth frigate INS Tarkash participated in a PASSEX (Passing Exercise) with the Royal New Zealand Navy's Anzac-class frigate Te Kaha in the Gulf of Aden. This exercise marked the conclusion of the New Zealand-led CTF 150 Joint Focused Operation ANZAC Tiger (March 27 - April 4, 2025), a Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) operation in which INS Tarkash was mission deployed. The PASSEX involved various interoperability drills, including cross-deck landings, cross boarding, Sea Rider exchanges, and tactical maneuvers, all integrated with communication procedure exercises. This provided a valuable opportunity for both navies to exchange best practices, strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation, and enhance interoperability.