SOURCE: TIMES NOW
The ongoing Malabar exercise in the Indian Ocean region between Indian, US, Australian and Japanese warships shows the readiness for combat and interoperability of maritime forces, and also reassures the international community of the commitment of the countries for an inclusive Indo-Pacific, the deputy chief of Indian Navy said on Friday.
“‘Malabar 2020’ helps us show our combat readiness, interoperability and ability to tackle challenges in the maritime domain. It also reassures the international community of our commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific,” Vice Adrimal MS Pawar said.
Phase 2 of the Malabar exercise commenced on Tuesday in the Northern Arabian Sea with the participation of Indian Navy aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz along with other Indian, American, Australian and Japanese warships participating in the wargames.
On Friday, MiG-29Ks of the Indian Navy and F-18s of US Navy carried out simulated attacks on the surface targets during the multilateral naval exercise. The MiG-29s operated from the INS Vikramaditya.
The Phase-2 of the 24th edition of the multilateral Malabar Naval Exercise culminates today.
On Thursday, the Malabar exercise saw a high tempo of fighter jet operations from the decks of the two participating aircraft carriers – INS Vikramaditya and USS Nimitz.
“MiG 29K’s of the Indian Navy and the F-18 of the US Navy flew along with the Indian Navy’s maritime patrol aircraft P-8I and the USN AEW aircraft E2C Hawkeye in seamless coordination,” the Indian naval command said yesterday.
