An article was published in the Australian Financial Review (AFR) by Andrew Tillett, following up on the recently-concluded Virtual Summit between the Prime Ministers of India & Australia (which was incidentally right after PM Modi's in-person summit with the Japanese PM Kishida). It talks about an impending 'deployment' of Indian spy planes (journalist-speak for P-8I maritime patrol aircraft) to Australia.
www.afr.com
And also this piece preceding it:
www.afr.com
As the articles are behind a paywall, I'm only going to reproduce bits & pieces, and often paraphrasing:
Two examples of the previous exercises Mr. Jennings is alluding to:
news.defence.gov.au
indianexpress.com
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Exercise Sea Dragon 2022 - Involving ASW & AAR assets from the US, Canada, India, South Korea, Australia & Japan
And from the second AFR article, this piece:
The two articles draw a lot from the joint statements issued via official channels, though the joint statement did not actually mention any specifics of an aircraft deployment:
mea.gov.in
The important part under the 'Defence & Security Cooperation' section goes:
I'm not entirely clear regarding the nature of the Indian P-8's visit. Though the line in the second article about it being 'based' as opposed to the reciprocal Australian aircraft's 'visit' is interesting, but I don't know if that is anything substantial to go on. But what I can tell you is that India has been wanting to operate aircraft out of Australia's Cocos Islands (also known as Keeling Islands) for quite some time.
en.wikipedia.org
This interest is documented in publications as well...
www.lowyinstitute.org
www.idsa.in
The 'reciprocal' part may come in with regard to Australia's access to operate from Indian facilities on the Andaman & Nicobar islands, or perhaps even the new ones coming up on the Mauritius' Agalega island being developed for the Indian Navy, which seems tailored for operations of P-8 or other large aircraft:
While I'd wait & see regarding what kind of 'deployment' AFR is talking about (because it could simply be another joint exercise), but as a closing note, I'd say that in addition to building Domain Awareness underwater (such as through 'Fish Hook' SOSUS/IUSS), its also important for QUAD nations to extend that cooperation into Surface, Air & Space domains in order to build & maintain a full spectrum of surveillance & domain-awareness capabilities against PLAN activities in the Indo-Pacific, which would only be growing by leaps & bounds in the coming years & decades.
@randomradio @Ashwin @Gautam @Amarante @BMD
Morrison-Modi talks: spy plane deployment latest move to bolster India-Australia defence ties
Australia and India are expected to host reciprocal visits by troops more regularly following top-level talks.
And also this piece preceding it:
Morrison and Modi step up defence co-operation
Australia will host a visit by an Indian maritime patrol aircraft while new deals have been signed on green steel and critical minerals after top-level talks.
As the articles are behind a paywall, I'm only going to reproduce bits & pieces, and often paraphrasing:
"The types of exercises we’ve done with the Indians in the past have been pretty light on, but this would be a step-up in terms of complexity. This is where we were 15 years ago with Japan: fairly uncomplicated maritime surveillance, then it becomes co-ordinating ships and aircraft at sea. Exercises are ladder of complexity and this is the first step being climbed." - Peter Jennings of ASPI
Two examples of the previous exercises Mr. Jennings is alluding to:
Poseidon power in major exercise | Defence News
Australian and Indian Poseidon aircraft worked together for the first time during AUSINDEX.
India and five other nations begin anti-submarine exercise with US
According to the statement, two US Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft from the Golden Swordsmen and The Tridents will join the forces from the five other nations.
indianexpress.com
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Exercise Sea Dragon 2022 - Involving ASW & AAR assets from the US, Canada, India, South Korea, Australia & Japan
And from the second AFR article, this piece:
"After several years of Australia and India stepping up the tempo of joint military exercises, the leaders also announced an Indian maritime patrol aircraft would be deployed to Australia sometime soon as part of strengthening collaboration on maritime issues.
It’s unclear where the aircraft will be based but it is expected that Australian aircraft will also pay a reciprocal visit to India, as the leaders spoke about the need to keep open critical regional maritime corridors..."
It’s unclear where the aircraft will be based but it is expected that Australian aircraft will also pay a reciprocal visit to India, as the leaders spoke about the need to keep open critical regional maritime corridors..."
The two articles draw a lot from the joint statements issued via official channels, though the joint statement did not actually mention any specifics of an aircraft deployment:
MEA | Statements : Bilateral/Multilateral Documents
JOINT STATEMENT : INDIA-AUSTRALIA VIRTUAL SUMMIT
The important part under the 'Defence & Security Cooperation' section goes:
"Leaders underscored the importance of reciprocal access arrangements in facilitating deeper operational defence cooperation and its contribution towards free and open critical regional maritime corridors."
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I'm not entirely clear regarding the nature of the Indian P-8's visit. Though the line in the second article about it being 'based' as opposed to the reciprocal Australian aircraft's 'visit' is interesting, but I don't know if that is anything substantial to go on. But what I can tell you is that India has been wanting to operate aircraft out of Australia's Cocos Islands (also known as Keeling Islands) for quite some time.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands - Wikipedia
This interest is documented in publications as well...
Islands of opportunity: Where India and Australia can work together | Lowy Institute
Joint access to Andaman and Nicobar islands and Cocos island offers a chance to extend patrols and strategic ties.
www.lowyinstitute.org
Australia’s Strategic Imperatives in Indo-Pacific: Opportunities for India | Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
The Indo-Pacific construct has significantly enhanced the strategic salience of both India and Australia in a multipolar region. While the two nations have considerably deepened their strategic partnership, there is scope for much more improvement in several sectors.
The 'reciprocal' part may come in with regard to Australia's access to operate from Indian facilities on the Andaman & Nicobar islands, or perhaps even the new ones coming up on the Mauritius' Agalega island being developed for the Indian Navy, which seems tailored for operations of P-8 or other large aircraft:
While I'd wait & see regarding what kind of 'deployment' AFR is talking about (because it could simply be another joint exercise), but as a closing note, I'd say that in addition to building Domain Awareness underwater (such as through 'Fish Hook' SOSUS/IUSS), its also important for QUAD nations to extend that cooperation into Surface, Air & Space domains in order to build & maintain a full spectrum of surveillance & domain-awareness capabilities against PLAN activities in the Indo-Pacific, which would only be growing by leaps & bounds in the coming years & decades.
@randomradio @Ashwin @Gautam @Amarante @BMD
