Indian Air Force, US Navy to hold joint military exercise in Indian Ocean
The strategic outreach exercise with the defence forces of friendly foreign countries in the IOR region is aimed at strengthening joint military capabilities and assessing operational preparedness.
NEW DELHI:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will participate in operational engagements with the US Navy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) engaging Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) on June 23 and June 24.
The strategic outreach exercise with the defence forces of friendly foreign countries in the IOR region is aimed at strengthening joint military capabilities and assessing operational preparedness.
The Exercise in the AoR of Southern Air Command will see the IAF forces operating from bases under four operational commands.
During the exercise, the IAF will employ a range of advanced fighter aircraft including Jaguars, Su-30 MKI fighters, AWACS, and Air to Air Refueller aircraft.
The United States CSG is expected to field the tactical F-18 fighters and E-2C Hawkeye AEW&C aircraft.
The two-day Indo-US exercise will be carried out south of Thiruvananthapuram, and will focus on multiple areas including enhancing aspects of interoperability, nuances of international integrated maritime SAR operations, and exchange of best practices in the maritime airpower domain.
The IAF extensive experience in maritime operations in the IOR has been consolidated over the years by the conduct of exercises from the country’s island territories, including participation in international exercises with various nations in the past.
The IAF play a pivotal role in the IOR and other strategic areas in maintaining maritime security and thwarting external threats.
The defence forces are also known for their Humanitarian Assitance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions and logistics support which it undertakes to support friendly nations in the region.
This engagement with the US CSG offers the opportunity to undertake joint operations in the maritime domain with a friendly foreign power.
(Edited by Shankar Kumar Turha)
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