Indian Navy Executes Swift Mid-Sea MEDEVAC of Japanese Sailor off Visakhapatnam Coast

VISAKHAPATNAM, Feb 15, 2026 — Demonstrating its commitment as a reliable global security partner and first responder, the Indian Navy successfully executed a high-stakes medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) of a critically ill Japanese sailor from a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessel on February 14.

Responding to an urgent distress call from the Japanese ship located approximately 200 kilometers off the coast of Visakhapatnam, the Indian Navy launched a Sea King helicopter to conduct the complex mid-sea airlift. The patient was safely evacuated and transported to the naval air station, INS Dega, from where he was immediately shifted to the Naval Hospital Kalyani for specialized medical treatment.

This seamless rescue operation not only highlights the Indian Navy’s operational readiness and humanitarian reach but also underscores the robust international maritime cooperation and enduring strategic partnership between India and Japan.