Indian Navy rescues critically ill Japanese sailor 200 km off Visakhapatnam coast

The Indian Navy executed a high-stakes medical evacuation on Saturday (February 14, 2026), rescuing a critically ill Japanese sailor from a Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) vessel located 200 km off the Visakhapatnam coast. The sailor was safely airlifted to INS Dega from where he was shifted to INS Kalyani (hospital) for medical aid. “Responding swiftly as a first responder and trusted global security partner, Indian Navy team successfully rescued the Japanese sailor from a life threatening situation. The MEDEVAC operation reflects strong international Maritime cooperation between India and Japan. It’s a Critical Emergency Evacuation by the Indian Navy, 200 km from Visakhapatnam city. It was not a mock drill,” the Eastern Naval Command official spokesperson told The Hindu.