Indian Warships reach Australia to take part in Bilateral Maritime Exercise AUSINDEX-17

June 13, 2017

Indian warships have reached Australia’s port city of Freemantle to take part in a week-long naval exercise off the Western Australian coast.

Salient Highlights

Exercise Australia-India (AUSINDEX) was first conducted off the East Coast of India in September 2015. AUSINDEX-17 will be the second overall bilateral drill between Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy.
AUSINDEX bilateral exercise aims to enhance interoperability and professional interaction between two navies.
Politically, the joint exercise assumes significance as India is yet to take a final decision to accommodate Australia’s request to participate in the Indian-led Malabar naval exercise this year. Malabar naval exercise involves the navies of India, Japan, and the United States.
Indian warships INS Kamorta, the INS Shivalik (first stealth warship built in India), and oiler INS Jyoti, will take part in the exercise.
Australian warships which will take part in the exercise includes missile frigate HMAS Newcastle; diesel-electric submarine HMAS Waller; special operations unit, Clearance Diving Team Four; and P3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force.
The exercise will be held between June 17 and 19.