CHENNAI, India –
The submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) departed Chennai, India, Aug. 27, after a scheduled port visit.
During the visit, the Sindhughosh-class submarine INS Sindhuvijay (S62) moored alongside Frank Cable to demonstrate the submarine tender’s capacity to maintain and repair allied and partner submarines throughout the Indo-Pacific. This evolution enhanced logistics cooperation between the two navies, allowing for future, advanced bilateral operations. This follows similar bilateral logistics operations the Frank Cable conducted with the Australian and Republic of Korea (ROK) submarine forces, including mooring the Royal Australian Navy Collins -class submarine HMAS Farncomb (SSG 74) alongside on April 19, 2022, and the ROK Navy submarine Na Dae-Yong (SS 069) alongside on Oct. 11, 2024.
“With the Indian Navy expanding its undersea forces, this was excellent opportunity for our forces to practice together,” said Capt. Mike Thompson, commanding officer of the Frank Cable. “Sharing knowledge and demonstrating our repair expertise reinforces our commitment to our partners and allies in the region.”
Indian naval leaders also toured Frank Cable, meeting with U.S. personnel and observing demonstrations from the ship's repair, weapons, supply and medical departments. These displays highlighted the Frank Cable's expeditionary capabilities.
“It was a pleasure to host our Indian counterparts on Frank Cable,” said Master Chief Joshua Strauch, command master chief of the Frank Cable. “People-to-people relationships are a cornerstone of how we build trust and strengthen our combined forces in pursuit of maintaining regional stability."
While in port, Frank Cable’s crew engaged with the local community at Guru Nanak College. Sailors participated in events with students that included learning how to play cricket, sharing their experiences in the U.S. Navy, and a friendly basketball game. These engagements provide Sailors with the opportunity to foster a better understanding with partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
Frank Cable's Chennai port visit is Military Sealift Command's second to the region in two years. USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10), a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship, last visited Kattupalli near Chennai, India, in August 2023.
Frank Cable, forward-deployed to the island of Guam, provides expeditionary maintenance, services, and logistics support to deployed submarines and surface vessels in the Indo-Pacific region.
Frank Cable is underway supporting the U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, operating with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.