The Indian Navy conducted a similar exercise with the Japanese Navy in June (representation)
New Delhi:
The Indian and Japanese navies will hold a three-day mega military exercise starting today in the North Arabian Sea to further solidify their operational convergence, officials said. The exercise takes place against the backdrop of growing concerns about flexing China’s military muscles in the Indian Ocean region as well as the Indo-Pacific.
It will be the first military exercise after the two countries signed a landmark agreement on September 9 that will allow their armies to access each other’s bases for logistical support.
Officials said the fourth edition of India-Japan maritime exercise JIMEX will feature a multitude of advanced exercises across the spectrum of maritime operations, reflecting a high degree of interoperability and joint operational competence.
The JIMEX series of exercises began in January 2012 with a particular focus on maritime security cooperation. The last edition of JIMEX took place in October 2018 off the coast of Visakhapatnam.
“The advanced level of operations and exercises planned during JIMEX-20 is a testament to the continued resumption of Indo-Japanese defense relations and the continued efforts of both governments to work closely together for a safer, more open World Heritage. and more inclusive, in accordance with international regulations, ”said a spokesperson for the Indian Navy.
He said multi-faceted tactical exercises involving gunfire, helicopter operations across the bridge and complex surface, anti-submarine and air warfare exercises will further solidify coordination between the two navies. .
The stealth destroyer Chennai, the stealth-class frigate Teg Tarkash and the tanker Deepak will represent the Indian Navy at the exercise. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force will be represented by ships Kaga, an Izumo-class helicopter destroyer, and Ikazuchi, a guided missile destroyer.
In addition to the ships, a fleet of long-range maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters and fighter jets will also be part of the exercise, officials said.
This week, the Indian and Australian navies conducted a two-day mega-exercise in the Indian Ocean region, which included a range of complex naval maneuvers, anti-aircraft exercises and helicopter operations.
In July, the Indian Navy conducted a military exercise with a US Navy aircraft carrier strike group led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz off the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The USS Nimitz is the largest warship in the world.
In the exercise with the United States Navy, four Indian Navy frontline warships participated. The US carrier strike group was transiting the Indian Ocean region from the South China Sea.
The Indian Navy conducted a similar exercise with the Japanese Navy in June. India has dramatically expanded its deployment in the Indian Ocean region with a plethora of warships and submarines following the border line to send a message to Beijing. The maritime space around the Strait of Malacca is critical to China’s supply chain via sea routes.
