Article Posted on : - Jul 25, 2014

NEW DELHI (PTI): The navies of India, the US and Japan on Thursday kickstarted their Malabar series of naval wargames in the Pacific Ocean, ignoring Chinese objections.

"The exercise will feature both ashore and at-sea training. Whilst ashore at Port Sasebo, Japan from July 24 to 26, the interactions will include subject matter expert and professional exchanges on Carrier Strike Group operations, maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations, anti-piracy operations and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations," a Navy release said.

Three Indian Navy ships including the destroyer INS Ranvijay, frigate INS Shivalik and INS Shakti fleet tanker are participating in the exercise.

The sea phase of the exercise is scheduled from July 27 to 30 and will be conducted in the Western Pacific Ocean.

"Exercises planned in this phase include helicopter cross-deck landings, anti-submarine warfare exercises and Liaison officer exchange and embarkation with an aim to enhance maritime cooperation among the navies of the participating nations," the release said.

The Indian, Japanese and the US navies have a common understanding and knowledge of a shared working environment at sea. This exercise would further help advance the level of understanding among the navies, the Navy said.

China had in the past raised objections over the participation of Japan and other countries in the Malabar series naval drills held mainly between India and the US. The last exercise involving Japan was held in 2009.

The "complex" naval wargames in the Pacific Ocean in the area adjacent to the East China Sea would involve the US Navy's latest aircraft carrier USS George Washington, a nuclear submarine USS Columbus.

The three Indian warships taking part in the wargames earlier held exercises with the Russian Navy in Vladivostok last week.