India v Australia exercise wraps up
An inaugural bilateral maritime exercise between India and Australia has successfully wrapped up in Visakhapatnam over the weekend.
AUSINDEX15 brought together ships and aircraft from both countries to strengthen defence co-operation under the Framework for Security Cooperation announced by Australian and Indian Prime Ministers Abbott and Modi last year.
Head of Australian Navy Capability Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead was on location in India for part of the exercise and said the relationship between the two militaries was strategically significant.
“India remains one of Australia’s key security partners in the Indian Ocean and Asia-Pacific,” Rear Admiral Mead said.
“We have mutual interests in promoting peace and prosperity in the region.”
Three Royal Australian Navy vessels and a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C made the passage to India for the inaugural biennial exercise.
HMA Ships Sirius and Arunta as well as the Collins-class submarine Sheean successfully trained with Indian Navy Ships Shivalik, Ranvijayi and Shakti, along with India’s P-8I maritime patrol aircraft (similar to Australia’s Wedgetail) during the week-long activity.
The exercise started with briefings and practical demonstrations ashore, before progressing to sea for surface and anti-submarine exercises.
AUSINDEX is expected to be held every two years.
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