India and the US on Wednesday kicked off a two-day multi-domain war game in the Indian Ocean involving a series of air defense platforms to further consolidate their operational synergy in the face of China’s growing military presence in the region.
Indian assets in the exercise included Jaguar and Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets, IL-78 air-to-air refueling tankers, AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) jets, and Kochi and Teg warships.
The Indian Air Force and Navy will participate in an exercise with the US CSG in the Indian Ocean starting today
The Indian Navy has also deployed a fleet of P8I maritime surveillance aircraft and MiG 29K jets, in addition to other platforms.
The US Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is currently deployed to the Indian Ocean region.
An aircraft carrier battle group or aircraft carrier strike group is a naval mega fleet comprising an aircraft carrier, accompanied by a large number of destroyers, frigates, and other ships.
“Indian naval warships along with Indian Navy and Indian Air Force aircraft will participate in joint multi-domain operations with the carrier strike group comprising the Nimitz Ronald Reagan-class aircraft carrier. , the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh, Indian Navy spokesman Commander Vivek Madhwal said Tuesday.
He said the two-day exercise aims to strengthen the bilateral relationship and cooperation by demonstrating the ability to integrate and coordinate comprehensively in maritime operations.
Officials said the high-paced exercise will include advanced air defense drills, helicopter operations between decks and anti-submarine maneuvers with the aim of honing warfare skills and improving interoperability between the two sides.
Officials said the exercise focuses on multiple areas, including improving interoperability aspects, the nuances of integrated international maritime search and rescue operations, and sharing best practices in the domain of maritime air power.
Indo-American defense ties have improved in recent years.
In June 2016, the US had designated India as a “Senior Defense Partner”.
The two countries have also signed key defense and security pacts in recent years, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 that allows their armies to use each other’s bases to repair and resupply supplies, as well as foresees a greater depth. cooperation.
The two parties also signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018 that provides for interoperability between the two armies and the sale of high-end technology from the US to India.
In October of last year, India and the United States signed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) to further boost bilateral defense ties.
The pact provides for the exchange of high-tech military technology, logistics, and geospatial maps between the two countries.
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