Article Posted on : - Jul 02, 2014

Exercise RIMPAC 2014.

NEW DELHI (PTI): Indian Naval warship INS Sahyadri has reached the Pearl Harbour naval base in Hawai in the US for Indian Navy's maiden participation in world's largest international maritime exercise including vessels of countries such as China and Japan.

"This is the first ever participation of an Indian Naval ship in Exercise RIMPAC," a Navy release said.

"The exercise provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensure the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans," the US Navy said on its facebook page about the wargames.

During its stay in Pearl Harbour naval base -- which suffered massive destruction during Japanese attack in the World War-II, INS Sahyadri's crew will participate in harbour exercises, professional interactions, military symposiums, sports events and social fixtures, it said.

During the sea-going phase of the exercise, "The ship will participate in various exercises with navies from different countries, covering the entire gamut of maritime operations including anti-surface, anti-submarine, anti-air and carrier strike group operations."

"INS Sahyadri's participation in RIMPAC will serve to reinforce naval ties with US and other participating countries, as well as contribute immensely towards enhancing interoperability with friendly navies," it said.

The indigenously-built multi role stealth frigate carries long range anti-ship missiles, medium and short range surface to air missiles augmented by powerful guns of different calibers provide a formidable shield against all types of threats.

"Two integral multi-role helicopters carried by the ship act as force multipliers in all maritime scenarios due to their versatility and long range," the release said.

The warship has travelled 14,000 km and made a three-day stopover in Darwin, Australia before embarking on its final destination to Pearl Harbour.