Article Posted on : - Oct 15, 2015

Naval Command cadets demonstrate their search and rescue operation skills in mid sea on the eve of Indian Navy day in Chennai on 12 Oct 2015. Photo: PTI.

CHENNAI (PTI): The Navies of India, United States and Japan on Wednesday began the five-day 'Malabar exercise' on the Eastern coast, in which several warships, aircraft carriers and fast attack submarine are participating.

Naval personnel of the three countries are participating in the event, termed as "complex", "high-end warfighting" exercise, an official release said.

"Malabar 2015 is a latest in the continuing series of exercises conducted to advance multi-national maritime relationships and mutual security issues," it said.

During the exercise which includes both "ashore" and "at-sea training", there would be knowledge sharing sessions on carrier strike group operations, maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, among others.

In the exercise which are being undertaken at-sea, the sessions include military-to-military coordination, submarine familiarisation, air defence and surface warfare exercises.

The US ships taking part include aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt with embarked Carrier Air Wing 1, in line with USS Nimitz, guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG60), littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS-3), P-8A Poseidon aircraft and a fast attack submarine.

The Navies of India, Japan and US have a common understanding and knowledge of a shared working environment at sea, the release said, adding,these exercises help advance the level of understanding between the sailors.

"As members of Pacific nations, our navies are natural partners and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our bonds and personal relationships," the release said.

Naval Exercise-'MALABAR', involving India, US and Japan, will help maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region, the three navies said on Thursday.

"MALABAR-15 will be another significant step in strengthening mutual confidence and inter-operability as well as sharing best practices between the Indian, Japanese and US navies," a joint press release issued by them here said.

"The exercise will also go a long way in enhancing maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region, for the benefit of the global maritime community," it said about the exercise which began yesterday.

The 19th edition of the October 14-19 exercise is being conducted in the Bay of Bengal and the thrust areas include anti-submarine warfare, air defence and search and rescue tactical procedures, among others.