INDO-US NAVAL EXERCISE MALABAR 2013

The next edition of the Indo-US naval joint exercise series ‘Malabar’ has kicked off in the Bay of Bengal. Participants from the US Navy include the guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85), Destroyer Squadron 15 and embarked Warlords of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 51, in addition to one P-3C Orion maritime reconnaissance aircraft operating from Chennai. Indian assets fielded this time include the indigenous stealth frigate INS Shivalik, guided missile destroyer INS Ranvijay and Tu-142M maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

According to the Indian Navy, events planned during the at-sea portions include professional exchanges and embarkations; communications exercises; Surface Action Group operations; leapfrogs; helicopter cross-deck evolutions; gunnery exercises; visit board search and seizure; and antisubmarine warfare. The erstwhile Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier enters a new phase of its extended life on November 16 at Severodvinsk, Russia, when it is commissioned into the Indian Navy. The Vikramaditya will immediately become the largest ship the Indian Navy has ever operated, and will join service with the Western Fleet at Karwar in -anuary. It’s arrival comes just days short of a decade since the refurbishment contract was signed between the former NDA Government and Russia.

The Vikramaditya will operate from Karwar, and take on board MiG-29Ks from the Black Panthers squadron currently operational and training at INS Hansa, Goa. The ship was recently inspected by the Indian Navy’s commissioning crew, led by Commodore Suraj Berry, who will be the ship’s first Indian Commanding Officer.