Enhancing Interoperability: Indian Navy, US' Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group Conduct Joint Maritime Exercise In Indian Ocean

In a bid to enhance the interoperability between the two nations, the Indian Navy on 12 July participated in a joint exercise with the US's Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) in the Indian Ocean.

Following the exercise, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) commenced operations with Carrier Strike Group Nine in the 7th Fleet's operational area.

In a press statement, the US Embassy in New Delhi said the joint maritime activity underscored a shared commitment between the “two major defence partners” to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.

It added, “The US and Indian military forces focused on improving shared maritime domain awareness and information sharing; enhancing replenishment and logistics interoperability; and improving combined air-to-air capabilities", The Print reported.

Participating from the US in the exercise were the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Carrier Air Wing 11, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118).

From the Indian side, naval assets that took part in the exercise included the guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam (D66) and replenishment ship INS Aditya (A59).

Additionally, the Indian Navy is currently also engaged in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 exercise in Hawaii, alongside the US Navy and those of other nations.

The Indian multi-role stealth frigate INS Shivalik, which had previously been deployed in the South China Sea and North Pacific Ocean, arrived at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii for RIMPAC, the world's largest naval exercise involving around 29 countries.

The Indian Navy has in the past carried out bilateral as well as multilateral exercises with the US Navy across the Pacific, including Southwest Asia and littoral Africa.

India and the US, members of the Quad Security Dialogue with Japan and Australia, also jointly conduct the Malabar exercises.

The next edition of the Malabar exercise will be hosted by India in October on the eastern seaboard in the Bay of Bengal, following last year’s event in Australia.

The Malabar exercise began in 1992 as a joint initiative between India and the US.

In June, an Indian Air Force contingent joined the two-week Exercise Red Flag 2024 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, alongside the United States Air Force. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom, Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), and the German Luftwaffe also participated.

Eight Rafale jets, two IL-78 refuellers, and three C-17 Globemasters represented India in the exercise. Notably, this marked the first deployment of Rafale aircraft to Alaska.

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