Indian, US navies begin annual exercise in Arabian Sea

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI - The Indian and US navies Friday began their annual “Malabar” exercises in the Arabian Sea with the participation of frontline units of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet and the US Navy’s 7th fleet.

This is the 14th round of the exercise and will conclude May 2.

“The scope of Malabar includes a diverse range of operational activities at sea. The US Navy is represented by ships from Carrier Task Force 70 of the 7th Fleet based at Yokosuka in Japan. The ships include the cruiser USS Shiloh, destroyers USS Chaffee and USS Lassen and the frigate USS Curts,” an Indian Navy officer said.

“In addition, one Los Angeles class nuclear powered submarine, USS Annapolis, two P3C Orion aircraft and a 28-member US Navy special forces team will also participate in the exercise,” the officer added.

The Indian Navy is represented by INS Mysore, an indigenously-built Delhi class guided missile destroyer and three guided missile frigates - INS Godavari, INS Brahmaputra and INS Tabar. In addition, one Shishumar class submarine, INS Shankush, as also Sea Harrier fighters and other fixed and rotary wing aircraft are participating.

“The thrust of the exercise this year would be on anti-submarine warfare, surface firing, maritime interdiction operations, visit board search and seizure and submarine operations,” the officer said.