Naval ships, aircraft and personnel from India, Japan and the United States will participate in exercise Malabar 2015.
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The six-day (Oct 14-19) naval exercises, known as “Malabar”, is a complex, high-end war-fighting exercise that has grown in scope and complexity over the years.
The Indian Ocean provides essential maritime traffic access for both Japan and the U.S., while China has been increasing its presence under the so-called “string of pearls” strategy to invest in maritime facilities in countries in the region.
Queried about the China’s objection to the exercise, which commenced on Wednesday, in Vice Admiral Murakawa: “As far as this exercise is concerned, it is not targeted at any country”, adding that Japan was participating in the exercise to create free oceans for commerce.
The Indian Navy will bring a Rajput-class destroyer, Brahmaputra-class and Shivalik-class frigates, a Kilo-class submarine INS Sindhudhwaj, and an additional fleet support ship. “The exercise will also go a long way in enhancing maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region, for the benefit of the global maritime community”, it added. Events planned during the at-sea portions include liaison officer professional exchanges and embarks; photo exercise; submarine familiarization; high-value unit defense; air defense exercises; mine exercise; medevac; surface warfare exercises; communications exercises; search and rescue exercises; helicopter cross-deck evolutions; underway replenishments; gunnery exercises; visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercises; and anti-submarine warfare. The Sindhugosh class submarine INS Sindhudhvaj, long range maritime patrol aircraft P8I and integral rotary wing helicopters will also be participating in the exercise.
The US Navy will see ships from Carrier Task Force (CTF) 70 of the USN 7th Fleet, based in Japan, sail the waters along with Indian and Japanese vessels. “Malabar-15″ will be another significant step in strengthening mutual confidence and inter-operability as well as sharing best practices between the Indian, Japanese and USA navies”, the joint statement said.
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The USA is deploying the aircraft carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt, and a nuclear-powered submarine in the week-long exercises that the Indian navy said will cover the full spectrum of manoeuvres.
