Current Affairs - Defence/Military Exercises

In a collaborative effort to strengthen maritime security cooperation, the navies of India and the UAE recently engaged in a military exercise, involving Indian naval ships INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand.

Key Points:

• Indian Naval Participation: Indian naval ships INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand actively participated in the joint military exercise held at Port Rashid in Dubai.
• Incorporating State-of-the-Art Technology: INS Trikand is characterized by its contemporary design and incorporates cutting-edge technology across all aspects of its structure, rendering it stable, stealthy, swift, and formidable.
• Strengthening Maritime Security: The joint exercise between India and the UAE reinforces their commitment to maritime security and their determination to enhance cooperation in safeguarding maritime interests.
• Promoting Strategic Alliances: The collaborative military exercise serves to bolster the strategic partnership between India and the UAE, fostering mutual understanding and trust.
• Efforts Toward Regional Stability: By engaging in joint military activities, both nations contribute to regional stability, security, and peace, while also showcasing their capabilities to effectively address maritime challenges.
• Cross-Learning and Knowledge Sharing: The exercise facilitates the exchange of knowledge and expertise between the two navies, enabling them to learn from each other's experiences and best practices in maritime operations.

On June 7, 2023, the first edition of the India, France, and UAE Maritime Partnership Exercise started, in the Gulf of Oman.

• Aim: To enhance trilateral cooperation between India, France, and the UAE.
• It seeks to adopt measures to address traditional and non-traditional threats in the maritime environment.
• INS Tarkash from India, French Ship Surcouf with integral helicopters, French Rafale aircraft, and UAE Navy Maritime Patrol Aircraft are participating in the exercise.
• The exercise will enhance collaboration in ensuring the safety of mercantile trade and freedom of navigation on high seas in the region.

The 4th edition of India-Indonesia Bilateral exercise Samudra Shakti-23 is being held from 14-19 May, 2023.

• INS Kavaratti (indigenously designed & built ASW Corvette), an Indian Navy Dornier Maritime Patrol aircraft and Chetak helicopter are participating in the exercise.
• The exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability, jointness and mutual cooperation between both the navies.
• Samudra Shakti -23 will showcase the high level of interoperability between the two navies and their shared commitment towards peace and stability in the region.

From 3 to 10 May 2023, the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy successfully conducted the 35th edition of the India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Andaman Sea.

• Participants: The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kesari, an indigenously built Landing Ship Tank (Large), and His Thai Majesty’s Ship (HTMS) Saiburi, a Chao Phraya Class Frigate, along with Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies took part in the CORPAT.
• Objectives of Indo-Thai CORPAT: The CORPAT aims to strengthen maritime linkages between India and Thailand and ensure the safety and security of the Indian Ocean for international trade.
• Since 2005, the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy have been conducting CORPAT bi-annually to enhance understanding, interoperability, and cooperation between the two navies.
• The patrol helps in preventing and suppressing unlawful activities such as Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, piracy, armed robbery, smuggling, illegal immigration, and enables Search and Rescue (SAR) operations at sea.
• SAGAR Vision: The Indian Navy's participation in the Indo-Thai CORPAT is in line with the Government of India's vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region), which aims to enhance regional maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
• The Indian Navy actively engages with countries in the region through bilateral and multilateral exercises, Coordinated Patrols, Joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Surveillance, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
• Strong Bonds between India and Thailand: The Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy have a close and friendly relationship that has strengthened over the years.

On May 8, the Indian Navy successfully concluded the Sea Phase of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2023.

• Aim: The aim of the exercise was to promote maritime cooperation and enhance trust, friendship, and confidence among the participating navies.
• The exercise also aimed to refine procedures, learn best practices, and enhance interoperability with the ASEAN navies.
• The Sea Phase of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2023 took place in the South China Sea.
• The exercise saw participation from the navies of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India. (Note: ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organization composed of ten countries in Southeast Asia. The member states are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.)

From 27 April to 11 May 2023, the 7th edition of the joint military exercise "AJEYA WARRIOR-23" between India and the United Kingdom is taking place at Salisbury Plains, United Kingdom.

• The aim of the exercise is to build positive military relations, imbibe each other’s best practices and promote the ability to operate together while undertaking company-level sub-conventional operations in urban and semi-urban environments under UN mandate, in addition to developing inter-operability, bonhomie, camaraderie, and friendship between the two armies.
• Soldiers of the 2 Royal Gorkha Rifles from the United Kingdom and Indian Army soldiers from the BIHAR Regiment are participating in the exercise.
• The scope of this exercise involves a Command Post Exercise (CPX) at the Battalion level and Company level Field Training Exercise (FTX).
• “Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR” is yet another significant milestone in defence cooperation between the Indian Army and British Army which will further foster the bilateral relations between the two nations.

The Indian Air Force and the U.S. Air Force are conducting the ongoing bilateral air Exercise, Cope India 23.

• This marks the first time that U.S. bombers are participating in a military exercise in India.
• The second phase of the exercise will see the participation of U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers and F-15 fighter aircraft alongside Indian Air Force fighters such as the Su-30MKI, Rafale, Tejas, and Jaguar.

On 11^th April, 2023, Philippines and the United States began their largest-ever joint military drills, named 'Balikatan' which means 'shoulder-to-shoulder'.

• The expanded annual exercises underscore improved defence ties between the two countries.
• For the first time, the Philippines and the United States will hold live-fire drills at sea.
• The drills will also include training in amphibious operations, aviation operations, cyber defence, urban operations, counter-terrorism and humanitarian and disaster relief.

From 03 to 08 April 2023, the 10th edition of the India-Sri Lanka bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-23 is scheduled to take place in Colombo.

• SLINEX-23 is being conducted in two phases.
• It aims to enhance interoperability and exchange best practices through joint maritime operations.
• The Indian Navy is represented by two vessels: INS Kiltan, an indigenous Kamorta class ASW corvette, and INS Savitri, an Offshore Patrol Vessel.
• The Sri Lanka Navy is represented by SLNS Gajabahu and SLNS Sagara.
• Maritime Patrol Aircraft, helicopters, and Special Forces from both sides will participate in the exercise.
• Professional, cultural, and sporting events, as well as social exchanges, are planned during the Harbour Phase.
• These activities are intended to further bolster the bonds of friendship and camaraderie between the two navies.

From 20^th to 22^nd March, 2023, the annual bilateral maritime exercise Konkan 2023 was held off the Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom.

• The exercise involved the participation of INS Trishul and HMS Lancaster, which are guided missile frigates.
• Multiple maritime drills were conducted during the exercise to enhance interoperability and exchange of best practices.
• The drills covered all domains of maritime operations, including gunnery shoots, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare drills, helicopter operations, ship manoeuvres, VBSS, and exchange of personnel.
• The focus on operation readiness, enhancing interoperability, and improving the ability to conduct joint operations will strengthen maritime security and uphold a rules-based order in the region.