India, US, Japan in joint naval exercise in Bay

Summary: CHENNAI: Navies of India, USA and Japan today placed great importance on the ongoing trilateral naval exercise MALABAR-2015, with a top Japanese official describing the three countries as “indispensable partners” for regional stability.

Malabar is a complex, high-end warfighting exercise that has grown in scope and complexity over the years.

“These exercises are all-encompassing, starting from one spectrum to the other including anti-piracy operations, board, search and seize and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief”, said Indian navy spokesman Captain D.K. Sharma.

Japan’s constitution prohibits the use of force to settle global disputes.

The Navies of India, the USA and Japan yesterday began the five-day exercise “MALABAR-2015” in Bay of Bengal amid reports that China is carefully monitoring the drill in which several warships, aircraft carriers and fast attack submarine will be seen in action.

A multi-nation Malabar exercise in 2007 involving Japan, Singapore and Australia besides India and Japan also drew diplomatic objections from China.

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 Navies of India, Japan and United States have a common understanding and knowledge of a shared working environment at sea, the release said, adding, these exercises help advance the level of understanding between the sailors.

In addition one Sindhugosh class submarine INS Sindhudhvaj, long range maritime patrol aircraft P81 and integral rotary wing helicopter are also scheduled to participate in Malabar 15. The JMSDF will be represented by JS Fuyuzuki, a missile destroyer with SH 60K intergal helicopter.”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”, a joint statement issued by the three navies said.

In the exercise to be undertaken at-sea, the sessions include military-to-military coordination, submarine familiarisation, air defence and surface warfare exercises.

The U.S. navy will be represented by Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Teeodore Roosevelt, Ticonderoga class cruiser USS Normandy and Freedom class littoral combat ship USS Forth Worth.