Navies of India and Australia began a two-day mega exercise in the Indian Ocean Region on September 23. It involves a range of complex naval manoeuvres, anti-aircraft drills and helicopter operations.

Highlights of the exercice:

The passage exercise (PASSEX) is aimed at enhancing interoperability, improving understanding and imbibing best practices from each other. It would involve advanced surface and anti-air exercises including weapon firings, seamanship exercises, naval manoeuvres and cross deck flying operations.

HMAS Hobart, the lead ship of the Hobart-class air warfare destroyers, is among the assets deployed in the exercise by the Royal Australian Navy. Indian Navy ships Sahyadri and Karmuk are part of the exercise.

The exercise, which is in keeping with the strong bond shared by the two navies, would be another step towards strengthening Indo-Australia defence relations and the continued efforts of both governments to work closely to enhance safety and security of the global commons.

This exercise being conducted in the East Indian Ocean Region, reflects the growing strength of Indo-Australian bilateral relations as comprehensive strategic partners, particularly in defence cooperation in the maritime domain.

PASSEXs are regularly conducted by Indian Navy with units of friendly foreign navies, whilst visiting each other’s ports or during a rendezvous at sea.

It is the fourth major military drill by the Indian Navy since June. Earlier this month, navies of India and Russia carried out an exercise in the Bay of Bengal.

In July, the Indian Navy carried out a military exercise with a US Navy carrier strike group led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz off the coast of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The USS Nimitz is the world’s largest warship.

The Indian Navy carried out a similar exercise with the Japanese navy in June.

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