India joins France in multilateral naval drill along with QUAD

New Delhi, April 6: India and three other QUAD member nations on Monday joined France in kick-starting a three-day mega naval exercise in the eastern Indian Ocean, in reflection of their growing strategic cooperation in the region.

 

Indian Navy Ships INS Satpura (with an integral helicopter embarked) and INS Kiltan along with P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft are participating in multi-lateral maritime exercise La Perouse, being conducted in the Eastern Indian Ocean Region from Monday to Wednesday. It should be noted that this is for the first time both vessels of the Indian Navy are participating in the exercise.

 

The Indian Navy ships and aircraft will participate in a three-day exercise at sea with ships and aircraft of the French Navy (FN), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) and the United States Navy (USN), as per the Defence Ministry.

 

Indian Navy Spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said the exercise will witness complex and advanced naval operations including surface warfare, anti-air warfare and air defence exercises. He said it will also feature weapon firing exercises, cross deck flying operations and tactical manoeuvres among others.

 

"The exercise will showcase high levels of synergy, coordination and interoperability between the friendly navies. Participation by the Indian Navy in the exercise demonstrates the shared values with friendly navies ensuring freedom of seas and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order," Madhwal said.

 

The exercise will witness complex and advanced naval operations including surface warfare, anti-air warfare and air defence exercises, weapon firing exercises, cross deck flying operations, tactical manoeuvres and seamanship evolutions such as replenishment at sea.

 

 

The exercise will also showcase high levels of synergy, coordination and inter-operability between the friendly navies. Participation by the Indian Navy in the exercise demonstrates the shared values with friendly navies ensuring freedom of seas and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order.

 

"The exercise led by French Navy has participation by FN Ships Tonnerre, an amphibious assault ship and frigate Surcouf whereas United States Navy is represented in the exercise by amphibious transport dock ship Somerset. Her Majesty’s Australian Ships (HMAS) Anzac, a frigate and tanker Sirius have been deployed by RAN for participation in the exercise while Japan Maritime Self Defence Ship (JMSDF) is represented by the destroyer Akebono. In addition to the ships, integral helicopters embarked onboard ships will also participate in the exercise," it added.

 

 

 

On March 28 and 29, India and the US navies carried out a two-day naval exercise in the eastern Indian Ocean Region. The Indian Navy deployed its warship Shivalik and long range maritime patrol aircraft P8I in the ''PASSEX'' exercise while the US Navy was represented by USS Theodore Rosevelt carrier strike group.

 

A carrier battle group or carrier strike group is a mega naval fleet comprising an aircraft carrier, accompanied by a large number of destroyers, frigates and other ships.

 

 

The PASSEX exercise came over a week after US Defence Secretary Austin flew into India as part of his three-nation first overseas tour that signalled the Biden administration''s strong commitment to its relations with its close allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.