Agence France-Presse, New Delhi: India and the United States will hold their biggest-ever joint naval exercise later this month as they aim to build up cooperation to deal with piracy and terrorism, the Indian navy said Friday.
The 10-day exercise in the Arabian Sea starting on September 25 will also focus on coordination between naval aircraft, anti-submarine warfare and other sea missions such as search and rescue operations.
The joint exercise called “Malabar” is the eighth in a series between the two navies.
“With each exercise, the level of complexity is going up,” said Indian Navy Rear Admiral D.K Joshi.
“It is the first time that two dissimilar aircraft – F-18 Hornets from the US side and Sea Harriers from Indian side – will be taking part,” he said.
The US Navy will send aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, two Aegis class destroyers and P3C surveillance aircraft to take part in the exercise.
The Indian side will despatch aircraft carrier Viraat, a Delhi class guided missile destroyer and Shishumar submarines.
“This will be the first time that aircraft carriers from the two navies will participate in the Malabar series of exercises,” the defence ministry statement said.
Washington has held several joint military exercises with Indian defence forces over the past three to four years. New Delhi has emerged as a key US ally in its global campaign against terrorism.
The United States and India signed a landmark agreement last January to share advanced technology, including in peaceful nuclear applications.
In June, defence ministers of India and the United States signed a 10-year agreement paving the way for joint weapons production, cooperation on missile defense and the possible lifting of US export controls for sensitive military technologies.
