The Royal Australian Navy will conduct the first Bilateral Maritime Exercise, AUSINDEX, with the Indian Navy later this month.
The exercise will take place in the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet exercise area off the coast of Visakhapatnam.
Marking a significant step forward in the bilateral defence relationship between the two countries, Minister for Defence Kevin Andrews said during his visit to India that it is a sign of the growing naval cooperation between both nations.
Australia will be sending the ANZAC class frigate HMAS Arunta, the oiler HMAS Sirius, the Collins class submarine HMAS Sheean) and an AP-3C maritime surveillance aircraft.
In total, Australia’s contribution will number around 400 personnel – with a similar contribution from India.
The focus areas of the exercise will include:
- integrated operations with surface, air and sub-surface forces;
- planning and the conduct of anti-submarine warfare exercises;
- helicopter cross deck operations;
- surface and anti-air firing exercises; and
- seamanship exercises.
AUSINDEX will comprise a harbour phase, a sea phase as well as a debrief phase. Its objectives include:
- strengthening relationships and understanding of procedures through professional as well as social interactions;
- enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation through conduct of mission-specific briefings, table top exercises and scenario-based practical demonstrations and exercises;
- exchanging professional views through conduct of sharing experiences on specific topics of interest; and
- enhancing proficiency in core mariner skills, professional standards, safety and communications
Kevin Andrews is in India for a series of high-level meetings this week in a boost for the relationship. This is the first meeting between the two countries’ defence ministers since the release of a new framework for security cooperation inked by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Tony Abbott following the former’s visit to Australia in November 2014.
Regarding his visit to India, Andrews said that he looked forward to “identifying a range of new ideas to increase our existing defence cooperation".
"By 2030, the Indo-Pacific region is expected to account for 21 of the top 25 sea and air trade routes; around two thirds of global oil shipments and one third of the world’s bulk cargo movements. So improving security will be crucial to protecting our prosperity. In this setting, it is not surprising that, being Indian Ocean states, defence engagement between Australia and India focuses on joint naval cooperation," Andrews said.