The biggest-ever joint naval exercises between India and the United States went into high gear this week but the war games in the Arabian Sea steered clear of thorny issues such as simulated nuclear combat.
The 10-day event codenamed “Malabar 05” began when the 1,092-foot aircraft carrier USS Nimitz led two American Aegis-class destroyers into Indian waters on Sept. 25.
“[Malabar 05] is a good opportunity for us to increase and enhance our operation with the Indian Navy and develop standard procedures for conducting operations and personnel relationships and know each other,” the US Navy Commanding Officer, Ted N. Branch, said.
“One part of our war games was over when the two navies met at mid-sea when the exercises began and now we are engaging in comprehensive manoeuvres,” Indian Navy spokesman Captain A.K. Lambhate said in India’s western resort of Goa, a nerve center for the exercises.
The nuclear-powered Nimitz is the first U.S. carrier to take part in joint exercises with nations outside the North Atlantic Treaty organization.
“This is a great mission as it enhances mutual confidence-building measures, streamlines procedures for the future and will help both countries across a wide canvas,” said Lambhate, as the ships practiced anti-submarine warfare.
Lambhate said the major action was still to come.
“(From) 30th September onwards the major part of the exercises will commence and will continue until the exercises end on October 4. There’ll be a lot of activity in that period,” he said without elaborating.
The joint exercise is the eighth in a series between the two navies and involves F-18 Hornets from the US side and British-designed Sea Harriers, which this week flew several sorties from the deck of India’s solitary aircraft carrier, INS Viraat.
An unspecified number of German-designed submarines backed the Indian fleet, an official said by telephone from the decks of a participating Indian missile destroyer.
“Activities such as interdiction, information exchange, anti-piracy and operations to halt unauthorized transportation of weapons are under way but NBC (nuclear, biological chemical warfare exercises) is not on the agenda,” another official, who did not want to be named, told AFP in Goa.
“These still remain a thorny issue with them (the U.S.),” he added.
The United States imposed sanctions including restrictions on transfer of dual-use technology after India conducted nuclear weapons tests in May 1998. Washington eased some of the sanctions after India pledged its support to its global campaign against terrorism following the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Washington has held several joint military exercises with Indian defense forces over the past three to four years.
The United States and India signed a landmark agreement in January to share advanced technology, including for peaceful nuclear applications.
In June defense ministers of India and the United States signed a 10-year accord paving the way for joint weapons production, cooperation on missile defense and the possible lifting of remaining U.S. export controls on sensitive military technologies.
Indian and US militaries have held a series of joint exercises in the past few years, including Special Forces training in jungle warfare and parachute jumps.
Another round of air combat exercises are scheduled to be held in November in West Bengal, ANI reported.
India plans to build an aircraft carrier by 2012 as New Delhi moves to boost the blue-water capability of its naval forces. It has also signed a 1.5-billion dollar deal with Russia for Admiral Gorshkov that will be handed over to India by 2009 after a refit.
The 10-day event codenamed “Malabar 05” began when the 1,092-foot aircraft carrier USS Nimitz led two American Aegis-class destroyers into Indian waters on Sept. 25.
“[Malabar 05] is a good opportunity for us to increase and enhance our operation with the Indian Navy and develop standard procedures for conducting operations and personnel relationships and know each other,” the US Navy Commanding Officer, Ted N. Branch, said.
“One part of our war games was over when the two navies met at mid-sea when the exercises began and now we are engaging in comprehensive manoeuvres,” Indian Navy spokesman Captain A.K. Lambhate said in India’s western resort of Goa, a nerve center for the exercises.
The nuclear-powered Nimitz is the first U.S. carrier to take part in joint exercises with nations outside the North Atlantic Treaty organization.
“This is a great mission as it enhances mutual confidence-building measures, streamlines procedures for the future and will help both countries across a wide canvas,” said Lambhate, as the ships practiced anti-submarine warfare.
Lambhate said the major action was still to come.
“(From) 30th September onwards the major part of the exercises will commence and will continue until the exercises end on October 4. There’ll be a lot of activity in that period,” he said without elaborating.
The joint exercise is the eighth in a series between the two navies and involves F-18 Hornets from the US side and British-designed Sea Harriers, which this week flew several sorties from the deck of India’s solitary aircraft carrier, INS Viraat.
An unspecified number of German-designed submarines backed the Indian fleet, an official said by telephone from the decks of a participating Indian missile destroyer.
“Activities such as interdiction, information exchange, anti-piracy and operations to halt unauthorized transportation of weapons are under way but NBC (nuclear, biological chemical warfare exercises) is not on the agenda,” another official, who did not want to be named, told AFP in Goa.
“These still remain a thorny issue with them (the U.S.),” he added.
The United States imposed sanctions including restrictions on transfer of dual-use technology after India conducted nuclear weapons tests in May 1998. Washington eased some of the sanctions after India pledged its support to its global campaign against terrorism following the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Washington has held several joint military exercises with Indian defense forces over the past three to four years.
The United States and India signed a landmark agreement in January to share advanced technology, including for peaceful nuclear applications.
In June defense ministers of India and the United States signed a 10-year accord paving the way for joint weapons production, cooperation on missile defense and the possible lifting of remaining U.S. export controls on sensitive military technologies.
Indian and US militaries have held a series of joint exercises in the past few years, including Special Forces training in jungle warfare and parachute jumps.
Another round of air combat exercises are scheduled to be held in November in West Bengal, ANI reported.
India plans to build an aircraft carrier by 2012 as New Delhi moves to boost the blue-water capability of its naval forces. It has also signed a 1.5-billion dollar deal with Russia for Admiral Gorshkov that will be handed over to India by 2009 after a refit.
