Flexing the Maritime Muscle
Indian Navy in multiple joint exercises
The Indian Navy has been carrying out multiple joint exercises with ‘ friendly’ maritime forces. In context of the present faceoff with the Chinese on the Ladakh front, India’s clear message to China is that the maritime option will be exercised, if necessary and is exemplified by Australia’s participation in the recent annual naval exercises alongside the US and Japan.
Exercising with ‘friendly’ maritime forces is not new to the Indian Navy, but in context of the ongoing face off with the Chinese in the high Himalayas, the series of naval exercises involving both the Eastern and Western Fleets for over two months from September 2020 is surely indicative of the resolve to strengthen India’s maritime muscle. That China has taken serious note is clear from this Communist nations objection to what it terms as creation of an “Asian NATO”.
India’s clear message to China is that the maritime option will be exercised, if necessary, and is exemplified by Australia’s participation in the annual naval exercises alongside the US and Japan. This has taken sometime since 2007 when the Indian Navy first invited maritime forces of Japan, Singapore and Australia to join its annual bilateral Malabar naval exercises with the United States. Surely having more ‘friendly’ Navies take part was logical in the geopolitical context of the present times, even though much time has passed since those initial Bay of Bengal Exercises. Meanwhile, the Chinese Navy has since grown exponentially and has acquired bases not only in Pakistan (both Karachi and Gwadar) but at Djibouti in the Horn of Africa while there is speculation about an arrangement with Iran which would have PLAN units positioned near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
But back to the Indian Navy and its recent joint exercises.
Exercise Malabar-2020
The Malabar series of maritime exercises had commenced in 1992 as a bilateral IN-USN exercise, the JMSDF joining in 2015, and in 2020, the RAN was a participant. 24th edition of the Malabar naval exercise was conducted in two phases during November 2020. Phase 1 of the Exercise involved participation of the Indian Navy ( IN), United States Navy (USN), Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and were carried out off Visakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal from 3 to 6 November 2020.
The Indian Navy’s participation was led by Rear Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, FOC Eastern Fleet and IN units participating included the guided missile destroyer INS Ranvijay, frigate INS Shivalik, OPV INS Sukanya, Fleet Support Ship INS Shakti and submarine INS Sindhuraj. In addition, the Indian Navy deployed BAE Hawks, Boeing P-8Is, HAL-Dornier 228s and some helicopters.
The Indian Navy units exercised with USS John S McCain (guided-missile destroyer), HMAS Ballarat ( long range frigate) with its integral MH-60 helicopter and the JMSDF’s Onami (destroyer) with its integral SH-60 helicopter. Malabar 20 Phase1 witnessed complex and advanced naval exercises including surface, antisubmarine and anti-air warfare operations, cross deck flying, seamanship evolutions and weapon firing exercises.
The exercise, conducted as a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ exercise in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, showcased high-levels of synergy and coordination between the friendly navies, “which is based on their shared values and commitment to an open, inclusive IndoPacific and a rules-based international order”.
Second phase of Exercise Malabar 2020 was conducted in the Northern Arabian Sea, from 17 to 20 November 2020, taking forward the synergies achieved in Phase-1 conducted in the Bay of Bengal. The Second phase involved coordinated operations of increasing complexity between the navies of Australia, India, Japan and the United States and was centered around the INS Vikramaditya Carrier Battle Group of the Indian Navy and the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group of the US Navy. The two carriers, along with other ships, submarines and aircraft of the participating navies, engaged in high intensity naval operations over four days, exercises including cross-deck flying operations and advanced air defence exercises by MiG-29K fighters of the Vikramaditya and F-18 Super Hornets fighters and E-2C Hawkeyes from USS Nimitz. In addition, advanced surface and anti-submarine warfare exercises, seamanship evolutions and weapon firings were undertaken “to further enhance inter-operability and synergy between the four friendly navies”.
Apart from the INS Vikramaditya with its fighter and helicopter air-wings, the IN’s guided missile destroyers INS Kolkata and INS Chennai, stealth frigate INS Talwar, Fleet Support Ship INS Deepak with their integral helicopters also participated in the exercise, led by Rear Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, FOC Western Fleet. The submarine INS Khanderi and P- 8Is of the Indian Navy were very much also involved.
The US Navy›s Strike Carrier USS Nimitz was accompanied by cruiser USS Princeton and destroyer USS Sterett in addition to P-8A aircraft operating from shore bases. The Royal Australian Navy was represented by the frigate HMAS Ballarat with its integral helicopter, and the JMSDF also participated.
The Indian Navy had begun joint exercises earlier, having undertaken a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in the East Indian Ocean Region from 23 to 24 September 2020. The exercise involved participation of HMAS Hobart, INS Sahyadri and INS Karmuk. In addition, IN P-8Is and helicopters from both Navies participated in the Exercise, aimed at “enhancing interoperability, improving understanding and imbibing best practices from each other, involving advanced surface and anti- air exercises including weapon firings, seamanship exercises, naval manoeuvres and Cross Deck Flying Operations”.
JIMEX 20
In the wake of PASSEX was 4th edition of the India - Japan Maritime bilateral exercise JIMEX, held in North Arabian Sea from 26 to 28 September 2020. Naval cooperation between India and Japan has increased in scope and complexity over the years. Advanced level of operations and exercises carried out during JIMEX- 20 were indicative of “the continued upswing in Indo- Japanese defence relations and continued efforts by both Governments to work closely for a more secure, open and inclusive global commons, in accordance with international regulations”.
JIMEX 20 was spread over three days and conducted in a ‘non-contact atsea-only format’, in view of COVID-19 restrictions. The Indian Navy’s guided missile destroyer INS Chennai, stealth frigates INS Teg and Tarkash and Fleet Tanker INS Deepak, under command of Rear Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, FOC Western Fleet, represented the Indian Navy. The Japanese Maritime Self
Defense Force was represented by JMSDF ships Kaga, an Izumo- class Ikazuchi, destroyer, led by Rear Admiral Konno Yasushige, Commander Escort Flotilla–2 ( CCF- 2). In addition to ships, P- 8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft, integral helicopters and MiG-29Ks also participated in the exercise.
Exercise Bongosagar
Second edition of the Indian and Bangladesh Navy Bilateral Exercise Bongosagar took place in the northern Bay of Bengal on 3 October 2020, aimed at developing interoperability and joint operational skills through conduct of a wide spectrum of maritime exercises and operations. This exercise was followed by the 3rd edition of IN-BN Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) in the Northern Bay of Bengal from 4 to 5 October 2020, wherein IN and BN units undertook joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
Taking part were INS Kiltan, the indigenously built ASW Corvette and Guided-Missile Corvette INS Khukri, along with Bangladesh Naval Ship (BNS) guidedmissile frigate Abu Bakr and a guidedmissile corvette BNS Prottoy. In addition to the ships, Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies and integral helicopters also participated in the exercise, including HALDornier 228s and RUAG Do 228s.
SLINEX-20
Shortly thereafter eighth Edition of annual the Indian Navy – Sri Lanka Navy bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX- 20 off Trincomalee, Sri Lanka from 19 to 21 October 2020. The Sri Lanka Navy was represented by SLN ships Sayura and Gajabahu led by Rear Admiral Bandara Jayathilaka. The Indian Navy had its ASW corvettes INS Kamorta and INS Kiltan under the command of Rear Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, FOC Eastern Fleet. IN ALHs and Chetaks embarked onboard the IN ships plus HAL-Dornier 228 MPAs also participated.
SLINEX- 20 aims to enhance interoperability, improve mutual understanding and exchange best practices and procedures for multi- faceted maritime operations between both navies….. “and exemplifies the deep engagement between India and Sri Lanka which has strengthened mutual cooperation in the maritime domain”.
CORPAT
As part of Government of India’s vision of SAGAR ( Security And Growth for All in the Region), the Indian Navy has been assisting countries in the Indian Ocean Region with EEZ Surveillance, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), other capacity building and capability- enhancement activities, on their request. “India and Thailand have especially enjoyed a close and friendly relationship covering a wide spectrum of activities and interactions, which have strengthened over the years”.
30th edition of India- Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) the aim of keeping this vital part of the Indian Ocean safe and secure for commercial shipping and international trade. “Build up understanding and interoperability between navies and facilitates institution of measures to prevent and suppress Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery and piracy. It further enhances the operational between the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy took place 18–20 November 2020. INS Karmuk, the indigenously built missile corvette and His Majesty’s Thailand Ship (HTMS) Kraburi, a Chao Phraya- class frigate along with Dornier 228 MPAs from both navies participated in the CORPAT.
The two navies have been conducting CORPAT along their International Maritime Boundary Line twice a year since 2005, with
synergy by exchange of information for prevention of smuggling, illegal immigration and for conduct of SAR operations at sea”.
SITMEX-20
Thereafter, was Exercise SITMEX- 20 during 21- 21 November 2020 in the Andaman Sea where Indian Navy ships including ASW corvette INS Kamorta and missile corvette INS Karmuk participated in 2nd edition of the India, Singapore and Thailand Trilateral Maritime Exercise. The RSN was represented by its Formidable- class frigate Intrepid and Endurance- class landing ship tank Endeavour and the RTN by Chao Phraya- class frigate Kraburi.
First edition of SITMEX, hosted by Indian Navy had taken place off Port Blair in September 2019, the SITMEX series of exercises being conducted “to enhance mutual inter-operability and imbibing best practices between IN, Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and Royal Thai Navy (RTN)”.
The exercise, was conducted as a ‘ noncontact, at sea only’ exercise in view of COVID-19 pandemic to highlight growing synergy, coordination and cooperation in the maritime domain between the three friendly navies and maritime neighbours. The two days of maritime drills had the three navies participate in a variety of exercises including naval manoeuvres, surface warfare exercises and weapon firings.
Exercise SIMBEX-20
Then the 27th edition of India-Singapore Bilateral Maritime Exercise SIMBEX-20 from 23 to 25 November 2020 in the Andaman Sea. These have been conducted annually since 1994, aimed at “enhancing mutual inter-operability and imbibing best practices from each other”. The scope and complexity of these exercises has increased steadily over the past two decades to include advanced naval drills covering a wide spectrum of maritime operations.
The 2020 edition of SIMBEX had participation of various Indian Navy warships, including destroyer INS Rana with integral Chetak helicopter and corvettes INS Kamorta and Karmuk. In addition, the submarine INS Sindhuraj and P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft also participated in the exercise. The RSN was represented by its Formidable- class frigates Intrepid and Steadfast with integral S 70B helicopter and ‘Endurance’ class landing ship tank Endeavour.
SIMBEX-20 included surface, anti-air warfare and anti-submarine warfare exercises including weapon firings, over three days of intensive joint operations at sea.