Quad navies join France-led drills in Indian Ocean
NEW DELHI : France, India, the United States, Japan and
Australia on Monday kicked off complex maritime drills in the eastern Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to enhance interoperability among their navies, the Indian Navy said, at a time when China is making concerted efforts to strengthen its presence in the IOR. Two Indian warships and a longrange maritime patrol aircraft are taking part in the French Navy-led exercise called La Pérouse for the first time.
NEW DELHI: France, India, the United States, Japan and Australia on Monday kicked off complex maritime drills in the eastern Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to enhance interoperability among their navies, the Indian Navy said, at a time when China is making concerted efforts to strengthen its presence in the IOR. Two Indian warships and a long-range maritime patrol aircraft are taking part in the French Navy-led exercise called La Pérouse for the first time.
India, the US, Japan and Australia constitute the Quadrilateral security or Quad. China has been wary of the Quad that was revived in 2017. And Beijing’s suspicions have increased since the nations upgraded the forum to the ministerial level in 2019.
Indian warships INS Satpura with an embarked helicopter and INS Kiltan, and a Boeing P-8I submarine hunter aircraft are taking part in the three-day exercise being held from April 5 to April 7. The exercise will showcase high levels of synergy, coordination and interoperability between the friendly navies, an Indian Navy spokesperson said. “Participation by the Indian Navy in the exercise demonstrates the shared values with friendly navies ensuring freedom of seas and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order,” said Commander Vivek Madhwal.
France is being represented by amphibious assault ship Tonnerre and frigate Surcouf, the US by its amphibious transport dock USS Somerset for the drills, Australia by its frigate HMAS Anzac and tanker Sirius, and Japan has sent Akebono.