AUSINDEX-15 - Indian and Australian Navy to participate in Inaugural Bilateral Maritime Exercise

AUSINDEX-15 - Indian and Australian Navy to participate in Inaugural Bilateral Maritime Exercise

The inaugural Bilateral Maritime Exercise between India and Australia, AUSINDEX-15 is being conducted off the East Coast of India from 11 – 19 September 15.The exercise would be be jointly inaugurated by Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, Head Navy Capability Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Rear Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet onboard INS Shivilak at Visakhapatnam.

The maritime exercise is a tangible sign that will strengthen defence co-operation between the two countries as envisaged in the Framework for Security Co-operation announced by the Australian and Indian Prime Ministers in 2014.The week-long Bilateral Maritime Exercise comprising RAN ships HMAS Sirius (Fleet tanker), HMAS Arunta (Anzac class frigate), and HMAS Sheean (Collins class submarine) arrived Visakhapatnam on 11 September 15.The Indian Navy would be represented by INS Shivalik (stealth frigate), INS Ranvijay (guided missile destroyer) and INS Shakti (Fleet tanker).In addition, one Royal Australian Air Force P3C Orion surveillance aircraft and Indian Navy’s P8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft will operate from Chennai during the exercise.

The exercise is aimed at strengthening professional interaction, both in harbour and at sea and would be a start for attaining interoperability between the two navies. Both navies have a mutual interest in promoting peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean and this is a natural progress of our Navy-to-Navy relationship, given our shared maritime security interests.

HMAS Sheen being recieved off Vizag

The exercise will start with a Harbour Phase encompassing briefings and practical demonstrations along with professional interactions.This would progress to a Sea Phase which would include Fleet manoeuvres, gun firings as well as coordinated anti-submarine exercises.

HMAS Sirius entering Vizag Harbour

The AUSINDEX would be a biennial event intended to strengthen maritime cooperation between the nations and further the ability to undertake regional joint and/or combined operations such as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.

HMAS Arunta off Vizag

Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, Head Navy Capability Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Rear Admiral AB Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet inaugurating the first edition of Bilateral Maritime Exercise, AUSINDEX-15 onboard INS Shivilak at Vizag

Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, Head Navy Capability Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Rear Admiral AB Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet during AUSINDEX-15

Joint Press Conference by Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, Head Navy Capability Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Rear Admiral AB Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet during AUSINDEX-15

Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, Head Navy Capability Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Rear Admiral AB Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet along with Commanding Officers participating ships and submarine of HMAS Sirius, HMAS Arunta, HMAS Sheean, INS Shivalik, INS Ranvijay and INS Shakti during AUSINDEX-15