Indian Navy, Air Force set to conduct exercise with US Carrier Strike Group in the Indian Ocean
23 Jun 2021 10:16:09
New Delhi, June 23: The Indian Navy warships and Indian Air Force fighter jets are all ready to conduct joint drills with the US Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in separate exercises to be held on June 23 and June 24.
Indian Naval Ships, Kochi and Teg, along with P8I and MiG 29K aircraft, will participate in a Passage Exercise with the US Navy during its transit through the Indian Ocean region.
"The Indian Naval warships along with aircraft from Indian Navy and Indian Air Force will be engaged in joint multi-domain operations with the Carrier Strike Group comprising Nimitz class aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Halsey and Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh,” the Indian Navy said in a statement.
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Meanwhile, the IAF will also participate in an exercise along with the nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier. IAF fighter jets- Jaguar and Su-30 MKI- along with airborne early warning and control systems (AEW&C) and Air-to-Air Refueller aircraft will also be part of the joint exercise.
The US is expected to field F-18 fighters and E-2C Hawkeye AEW&C aircraft. The exercise will be carried out south of Thiruvananthapuram, on the western seaboard, over two days. The two-day exercise aims to strengthen the bilateral relationship and cooperation by demonstrating the two nation’s ability to integrate and coordinate comprehensively in maritime operations.
High tempo operations during the exercise include advanced air defence exercises, cross deck helicopter operations, and anti-submarine exercises. The participating forces will endeavour to hone their war-fighting skills and enhance their interoperability as an integrated force to promote peace, security and stability in the maritime domain.
"Indian Navy and US Navy regularly undertake a host of bilateral and multilateral exercises which underscore the shared values as partner navies, in ensuring commitment to an open, inclusive and a rule-based international order," the Indian Navy said.
The IAF’s exercise with the US CSG will focus on multiple areas including enhancing aspects of interoperability, nuances of international integrated maritime SAR operations, and exchange of best practices in the maritime airpower domain.