Indian, Australian Navies to carry out Passage Exercise in Indian Ocean region

New Delhi, Sept 23: The Indian Navy (IN) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will be carrying out a 2-day Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the East Indian Ocean Region (IOR) from September 23 to September 24, according to an official release.

 

The exercise will witness the participation of HMAS Hobart which will the lead ship of the Hobart-class air warfare destroyers along with the other assets to be deployed from the Australian side whereas the Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Karmuk will be involved from the Indian side. Along with this, an Indian MPA and helicopters from both sides would be participating in the exercise.

 

The exercise comes in the midst of India's tense border row with China and in the backdrop of growing activities by the Chinese navy in the Indian Ocean Region. Meanwhile, it will be the fourth major military drill by the Indian Navy since June. It has already carried out similar exercises with the navies of the US, Japan, and Russia.

 

Aiming at enhancing interoperability, improving understanding, and imbibing best practices from each other, the exercise would involve advanced surface and anti-air exercises including weapon firings, seamanship exercises, naval maneuvers, and Cross Deck Flying Operations.

 

"PASSEXs are regularly conducted by the Indian Navy with units of friendly foreign navies, whilst visiting each other's ports or during a rendezvous at sea. This exercise is 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," the release stated.

 

While the exercise is taking place to share strong bonds between both the navies, it will be a major step towards strengthening Indo-Australia defense relations. This will also help to enhance the continued efforts of both Governments to work closely to ensure the safety and security of the global commons in accordance with international regulations.

 

The two navies have built a robust relationship through regular exercises such as AUSINDEX conducted biennially. In the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the exercise would be conducted strictly as a 'non-contact activity' and would not involve any physical contact between the participating personnel of the two navies.

 

Earlier this month, navies of India and Russia carried out an exercise in the Bay of Bengal while in July, the Indian Navy carried out a military exercise with a US Navy carrier strike group. It comprises of USS Nimitz, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett and USS Ralph Johnson.

 

It was led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, the world's largest warship, off the coast of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Meanwhile, from India, four frontline warships of the Indian Navy participated. The US carrier strike group was transiting through the Indian Ocean Region on its way from the South China Sea. The US Navy carrier strike group

 

The Indian Navy carried out a similar exercise with the Japanese navy in June. India has significantly expanded its deployment in the Indian Ocean Region with a plethora of warships and submarines send a clear warning to Beijing. The maritime space around the Malacca Strait is very critical for China's supply chain through sea routes.

 

 

 

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