Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center hosts Indian Vice Chief of Naval Staff

by Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC)

12 February 2026
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

Rear Adm. T.J. Zerr, commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), hosted Vice Adm. Sanjay Vatsayan,Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Indian Navyat SMWDC headquarters onboard Naval Base San Diego, Feb. 12.

During the visit, Vice Adm. Vatsayan received a briefing on SMWDC’s missions and capabilities. The visit focused on the U.S.-India defense partnership and the shared goal of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. The meeting reinforced the importance of continuous partnership building and tactical cooperation to uphold regional security and prosperity.

SMWDC is the Navy’s Warfighting Development Center for Surface Warfare and Mine Warfare. Its mission is to increase the lethality and tactical proficiency of the Surface Fleet across all domains by providing tactical expertise and innovative solutions through the development and assessment of warfighting doctrine, concepts, and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).