1st Training Squadron

1st Training Squadron
Active	1973-present
Country	India
Branch	Indian Navy
Type	Training squadron
Role	Afloat Training
Part of	Southern Naval Command
Garrison/HQ	Kochi
Nickname(s)	1TS
Motto(s)	Training is the bedrock of success
Commanders
Senior Officer 1TS	Captain Tijo K Joseph

The 1st Training Squadron, also known as 1TS, is a squadron of Training ships of the Indian Navy. 1TS imparts afloat training to cadets after they complete their basic training at the Indian Naval Academy. The squadron is based out of Kochi and is a part of the Southern Naval Command.

History

Naval cadets began undergoing afloat training on Indian Naval ships starting with the 4th Naval course (1st Joint Services Wing course). After their time at JSW, the cadets joined INS Tir (K256) for six months, followed by another six months' training as Midshipmen. In 1955, INS Krishna (U46) was converted to a training role. Krishna became the Cadet Training ship while Tir became the Midshipman Training ship. Later the sloop INS Kaveri (U10) The Navy's first capital ship, the cruiser INS Delhi (C74) was converted into a training ship in May 1971. ^[1]

In 1973, the 1st Training Squadron was formed with Delhi, Kaveri, Krishna and Tir with Delhi as the senior ship. ^[2] The squadron trained the cadets and midshipmen of the Electrical, Engineering, Supply & Secretariat and Executive branches. ^[3] After their training at the National Defence Academy and the Naval Academy in Cochin, the cadets joined Delhi for basic training in seamanship, navigation, electrical, engineering, communication and weaponry. In the second phase, the executive and supply & secretariat branch midshipmen would continue to be trained by the squadron while the electrical and engineering midshipmen would move to INS Valsura and INS Shivaji respectively for their specialisation and graduation. ^[4]

With the decommissioning of Tir and Kaveri in 1977, Delhi in 1978 and Krishna in 1981, the anti-aircraft frigates INS Brahmaputra (F31), INS Beas (F137) and INS Betwa (F139) constituted the training squadron, with Brahmaputra as the senior ship. ^{[5] [6] [7]} The first dedicated training ship INS Tir (A86) was commissioned in February 1986 and joined the squadron on 1 April as the senior ship. ^[8] INS Krishna (F46) joined the squadron in 1995, while the sail training ships INS Tarangini (A75) and INS Sudarshini (A77) joined in 1997 and 2012 respectively. ^{[9] [1]}

Composition

Ships of 1TS in Seychelles.

The current composition of the squadron is: ^[1]

• INS Tir (A86)
• INS Sujata (P56)
• INS Magar (L20)
• INS Shardul (L16)
• INS Tarangini (A75)
• INS Sudarshini (A77)
• ICGS Sarathi

Organisation

The squadron is headed by the Senior Officer, 1st Training Squadron, who is also the Commanding Officer of the senior ship INS Tir (A86). The squadron is a part of the training command of the Navy, the Southern Naval Command. ^[10]

Mission

The squadron consolidates the cadet's knowledge in service subjects and exposes them to the basics of life at sea. The squadron trains about 250 to 300 cadets every year. The squadron undertakes overseas deployment every year, calling on ports around the world. ^[1]

See also

• Training Ships of the Indian Navy

Notes

1. Babu 2023.
2. Hiranandani 2005.
3. "NAVAL SHIPS TO VISIT EAST AFRICA" (PDF). archive.pib.gov.in. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
4. "THE FIRST INDIAN NAVAL SQUADRON" (PDF). archive.pib.gov.in. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
5. Hiranandani 1999.
6. "THE SOUTHERN NAVAL COMMAND" (PDF). archive.pib.gov.in. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
7. "INS BRAHMAPUTRA AND BEAS ON A GOODWILL VISIT TO EAST AFRICA" (PDF). archive.pib.gov.in. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
8. Singh 2018.
9. The Hindu Bureau (11 November 2022). "INS Tarangini celebrates silver jubilee". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
10. "FIRST TRAINING SQUADRON DEPARTS SEYCHELLES". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 17 September 2025.

Sources

• Hiranandani, G.M. (1999), Transition to Triumph: History of the Indian Navy, 1965-1975, Spantech & Lancer, ISBN   978-1897829721
• Hiranandani, G M (2005), Transition to eminence : the Indian navy 1976-1990, Lancer Publishers, ISBN   978-8170622666
• Singh, Anup (2018), Blue Waters Ahoy!: The Indian Navy 2001-2010, HarperCollins Publishers India, ISBN   978-9353025526
• Babu, Dorai (2023), A Decade of Transformation: The Indian Navy 2011-2021, HarperCollins Publishers India, ISBN   978-9394407909