New Delhi, April 4 (IANS): A fleet of ships from the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron berthed at Phuket in Thailand on Monday.

The squadron's primary aim is to impart at-sea training to naval and Coast Guard trainees.

The fleet includes cadet training ship 'Tir', patrol vessel 'Sujata', sail training ship 'Sudarshini', and Indian Coast Guard ship 'Varuna', all indigenously built.

A statement from the navy said the deployment of the training squadron to Phuket "provides opportunities for extensive maritime engagement, contributes to the maintenance of good order at sea and further cements the close relations between the two nations and the two navies".

Training is imparted in seamanship, navigation, ship handling, boat work and technical aspects, while the trainees are exposed to the rigours of life at sea. 

The Southern Naval Command is the navy's training command, which provides both basic and advanced training to naval officers and sailors.

The navy has also been providing training to personnel from friendly foreign countries for more than four decades. More than 13,000 personnel from over 40 countries have been trained so far.