Indian Security Forces: Joint Exercises
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Planning underway for Exercise Ibsamar in September
The pall of the COVID-19 coronavirus has not deterred planners from three navies putting heads together in anticipation of Exercise Ibsamar in September.
According to a SA Navy statement “although all exercises have been cancelled until further notice, planning (for Ibsamar) continued as all members from participating countries were in Simon’s Town when President Cyril Ramaphosa announced actions to be taken concerning the COVID-19 pandemic”. Ramaphosa announced sweeping regulations on 15 March to contain the spread of the virus and is expected to make a second major announcement this week.
Ibsamar is a joint, multi-national exercise held every second year with participation by India, Brazil and South Africa (hence its name).
The seventh iteration of the exercise is scheduled for 25 September to 2 October with South Africa the lead nation. Simon’s Town, where the SA Navy fleet is headquartered, and the Cape West Coast will be used by participating navies during the exercise.
At last week’s main planning conference, chaired by Brigadier General Gustav Lategan, Director: Force Preparation, attention was given to, among others, objectives of the exercise and its serials.
Other officers present were Rear Admiral (JG) Musa Nkomonde, exercise director; Captain Charl Maritz, combined joint task group commander (both SAN); Captain Pedro Silva Filho (defence attaché); Captain Andre Martins (commander task group); Lieutenant Commander Alexandre Ferreira and Lieutenant Commander Fabio Mello Santos (all Brazilian Navy) with the Indian Navy represented by defence attaché Captain Nitin Kapoor.
The schedule for Ibsamar 2020 currently has the Brazilian and Indian naval vessels in False Bay on 20 September and coming alongside the following day. Mobilisation and the exercise’s final planning conference are set down for 22 to 24 September with the first seas phase in False Bay from 25 to 27 September. This will be followed by a second sea phase on 28 September “in West Coast area” with demobilisation set down from 2 to 5 October.
None of the three participating navies has yet confirmed “asset pledges” for the exercise, the SA Navy statement said.
Planning underway for Exercise Ibsamar in September - defenceWeb
The pall of the COVID-19 coronavirus has not deterred planners from three navies putting heads together in anticipation of Exercise Ibsamar in September.
According to a SA Navy statement “although all exercises have been cancelled until further notice, planning (for Ibsamar) continued as all members from participating countries were in Simon’s Town when President Cyril Ramaphosa announced actions to be taken concerning the COVID-19 pandemic”. Ramaphosa announced sweeping regulations on 15 March to contain the spread of the virus and is expected to make a second major announcement this week.
Ibsamar is a joint, multi-national exercise held every second year with participation by India, Brazil and South Africa (hence its name).
The seventh iteration of the exercise is scheduled for 25 September to 2 October with South Africa the lead nation. Simon’s Town, where the SA Navy fleet is headquartered, and the Cape West Coast will be used by participating navies during the exercise.
At last week’s main planning conference, chaired by Brigadier General Gustav Lategan, Director: Force Preparation, attention was given to, among others, objectives of the exercise and its serials.
Other officers present were Rear Admiral (JG) Musa Nkomonde, exercise director; Captain Charl Maritz, combined joint task group commander (both SAN); Captain Pedro Silva Filho (defence attaché); Captain Andre Martins (commander task group); Lieutenant Commander Alexandre Ferreira and Lieutenant Commander Fabio Mello Santos (all Brazilian Navy) with the Indian Navy represented by defence attaché Captain Nitin Kapoor.
The schedule for Ibsamar 2020 currently has the Brazilian and Indian naval vessels in False Bay on 20 September and coming alongside the following day. Mobilisation and the exercise’s final planning conference are set down for 22 to 24 September with the first seas phase in False Bay from 25 to 27 September. This will be followed by a second sea phase on 28 September “in West Coast area” with demobilisation set down from 2 to 5 October.
None of the three participating navies has yet confirmed “asset pledges” for the exercise, the SA Navy statement said.
Planning underway for Exercise Ibsamar in September - defenceWeb
U.S. cancels Red Flag air exercise
The Indian Air Force (IAF) was to take part in the exercise with its Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets, defence sources said.
The U.S. Air Force has cancelled Phase-I of its flagship multilateral air exercise, Red Flag, scheduled in Alaska from April 30.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) was to take part in the exercise with its Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets, defence sources said.
“We got communication that Red Flag Alaska 20-1, scheduled from April 30 to May 15, has been cancelled due to COVID-19,” a defence source said. The U.S. Pacific Air Fleet said on its website that the exercise was cancelled owing to the travel restrictions imposed by the U.S. Department of Defence.
In the past, the IAF deployed Su-30MKI and Jaguar strike aircraft, the Il-78 tankers and the C-17 strategic airlift aircraft. The IAF joined Red Flag for the first time in 2008 in Nevada. However, it had said it would not take part in every edition of the biennial exercise because of the high cost involved.
Red Flag-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise meant to provide realistic training in a simulated combat environment over the Joint Pacific Alaska range complex, according to information on the U.S. Pacific Air Force website.
Coronavirus | U.S. cancels Red Flag air exercise
The Indian Air Force (IAF) was to take part in the exercise with its Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets, defence sources said.
The U.S. Air Force has cancelled Phase-I of its flagship multilateral air exercise, Red Flag, scheduled in Alaska from April 30.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) was to take part in the exercise with its Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets, defence sources said.
“We got communication that Red Flag Alaska 20-1, scheduled from April 30 to May 15, has been cancelled due to COVID-19,” a defence source said. The U.S. Pacific Air Fleet said on its website that the exercise was cancelled owing to the travel restrictions imposed by the U.S. Department of Defence.
In the past, the IAF deployed Su-30MKI and Jaguar strike aircraft, the Il-78 tankers and the C-17 strategic airlift aircraft. The IAF joined Red Flag for the first time in 2008 in Nevada. However, it had said it would not take part in every edition of the biennial exercise because of the high cost involved.
Red Flag-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise meant to provide realistic training in a simulated combat environment over the Joint Pacific Alaska range complex, according to information on the U.S. Pacific Air Force website.
Coronavirus | U.S. cancels Red Flag air exercise
India looks to deploy naval liaisons at Madagascar, Abu Dhabi for information exchange
This will be in the overall realm of improving linkages and become repository for all maritime data
After joining the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) as Observer in March, India is looking to post Navy Liaison Officers at the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC) in Madagascar and also at the European maritime surveillance initiative in the Strait of Hormuz for improved Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).
“We are working closely with France who is a pre-eminent member of IOC to post a Naval LO at the RMIFC in Madagascar. We are also working on posting a Naval LO at the European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH) in Abu Dhabi,” a defence source told The Hindu. “This will be in the overall realm of improving linkages of the Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram with other IFCs and become the repository for all maritime data in the IOR,” the source said. The LOs are expected to be posted in the next few months.
The RMFIC functions under the aegis of the IOC of which India became an Observer in March 2020 along with Japan and the United Nations. The IOC is a regional forum in the southwest Indian Ocean, comprising five nations — Comoros, France (Reunion), Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles. China and the European Union (EU) have been Observers in the IOC since 2016 and 2017, respectively.
The Navy LO is expected to be posted at EMASOH by July and at the RMIFC by September or October, the source said. India has an LO at the IFC in Singapore for over four years now.
The EMASOH headquarters is composed of Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and French officers and based at the French naval base in Abu Dhabi. The aim is “to monitor maritime activity and guarantee freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.” On February 5, the initiative was declared operational by the French Ministry of Armed Forces.
The Navy set up the IFC-IOR in December 2018 within the premises of the Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) in Gurugram to track maritime movements in the region. France became the first country to deploy a Liaison Officer at the IFC-IOR followed by the U.S. and several other countries including Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom have announced their intention to post LOs. Currently, infrastructure is being built to house the foreign officers. Pre-fabricated structures are being built and are expected to be ready by the end of the year, a second source said.
Of late, India has signed a series of white shipping agreements, Logistics Support Agreements (LSA) and maritime cooperation agreements with several countries. For instance, at the virtual summit, India and Australia announced a joint declaration on a shared vision for maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific in which they agreed to “deepen navy-to-navy cooperation and strengthen MDA in the Indo-Pacific region through enhanced exchange of information”.
As reported by The Hindu in October last, the IFC-IOR is coordinating with similar centres across the globe. These include Virtual Regional Maritime Traffic Centre (VRMTC), Maritime Security Centre- Horn of Africa(MSCHOA), Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery (ReCAAP), Information Fusion Centre-Singapore (IFC-SG), and International Maritime Bureau - Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC).
www.thehindu.com
This will be in the overall realm of improving linkages and become repository for all maritime data
After joining the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) as Observer in March, India is looking to post Navy Liaison Officers at the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC) in Madagascar and also at the European maritime surveillance initiative in the Strait of Hormuz for improved Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).
“We are working closely with France who is a pre-eminent member of IOC to post a Naval LO at the RMIFC in Madagascar. We are also working on posting a Naval LO at the European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH) in Abu Dhabi,” a defence source told The Hindu. “This will be in the overall realm of improving linkages of the Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram with other IFCs and become the repository for all maritime data in the IOR,” the source said. The LOs are expected to be posted in the next few months.
The RMFIC functions under the aegis of the IOC of which India became an Observer in March 2020 along with Japan and the United Nations. The IOC is a regional forum in the southwest Indian Ocean, comprising five nations — Comoros, France (Reunion), Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles. China and the European Union (EU) have been Observers in the IOC since 2016 and 2017, respectively.
The Navy LO is expected to be posted at EMASOH by July and at the RMIFC by September or October, the source said. India has an LO at the IFC in Singapore for over four years now.
The EMASOH headquarters is composed of Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and French officers and based at the French naval base in Abu Dhabi. The aim is “to monitor maritime activity and guarantee freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.” On February 5, the initiative was declared operational by the French Ministry of Armed Forces.
The Navy set up the IFC-IOR in December 2018 within the premises of the Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) in Gurugram to track maritime movements in the region. France became the first country to deploy a Liaison Officer at the IFC-IOR followed by the U.S. and several other countries including Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom have announced their intention to post LOs. Currently, infrastructure is being built to house the foreign officers. Pre-fabricated structures are being built and are expected to be ready by the end of the year, a second source said.
Of late, India has signed a series of white shipping agreements, Logistics Support Agreements (LSA) and maritime cooperation agreements with several countries. For instance, at the virtual summit, India and Australia announced a joint declaration on a shared vision for maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific in which they agreed to “deepen navy-to-navy cooperation and strengthen MDA in the Indo-Pacific region through enhanced exchange of information”.
As reported by The Hindu in October last, the IFC-IOR is coordinating with similar centres across the globe. These include Virtual Regional Maritime Traffic Centre (VRMTC), Maritime Security Centre- Horn of Africa(MSCHOA), Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery (ReCAAP), Information Fusion Centre-Singapore (IFC-SG), and International Maritime Bureau - Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC).
India looks to deploy naval liaisons at Madagascar, Abu Dhabi for information exchange
This will be in the overall realm of improving linkages and become repository for all maritime data
Nimitz Strike Group Participates in Cooperative Exercises with Indian Navy
The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, consisting of flagship USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), participated in cooperative exercises with the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean commencing July 20.
"It was a privilege to operate with the Indian Navy,” said Rear Adm. Jim Kirk, commander, Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. “RADM Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, leads a powerful and highly skilled Fleet. The opportunity to have the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group join with his Fleet for a series of exercises improved our interoperability and is a testimony to the flexibility of both our Navies."
While operating together, the U.S. and Indian naval forces conducted high-end exercises designed to maximize training and interoperability, including air defense. Nimitz CSG’s operations are designed to provide security throughout the region while building partnerships with friends and allies.
Naval engagements such as these exercises improve the cooperation of U.S. and Indian maritime forces and contribute to both sides' ability to counter threats at sea, from piracy to violent extremism. These engagements also present opportunities to build upon the pre-existing strong relationship between the United States and India and allow both countries to learn from each other.
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is currently deployed to the Indian Ocean in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, consisting of flagship USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), participated in cooperative exercises with the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean commencing July 20.
"It was a privilege to operate with the Indian Navy,” said Rear Adm. Jim Kirk, commander, Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. “RADM Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, leads a powerful and highly skilled Fleet. The opportunity to have the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group join with his Fleet for a series of exercises improved our interoperability and is a testimony to the flexibility of both our Navies."
While operating together, the U.S. and Indian naval forces conducted high-end exercises designed to maximize training and interoperability, including air defense. Nimitz CSG’s operations are designed to provide security throughout the region while building partnerships with friends and allies.
Naval engagements such as these exercises improve the cooperation of U.S. and Indian maritime forces and contribute to both sides' ability to counter threats at sea, from piracy to violent extremism. These engagements also present opportunities to build upon the pre-existing strong relationship between the United States and India and allow both countries to learn from each other.
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is currently deployed to the Indian Ocean in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Nimitz Strike Group Participates in Cooperative Exercises with Indian Navy
The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, consisting of flagship USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS
www.c7f.navy.mil
USS Princeton, Indian Navy Conduct Cooperative Deployment
INDIAN OCEAN (NNS) -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), as part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG), conducted a cooperative deployment with ships and aircraft from the Indian Navy July 20 and 21.
The two navies conducted multiple exercises while operating together, including a live-fire exercise, an air defense exercise (ADEX), flight operations and a farewell passing exercise.
“This was a unique opportunity to train and strengthen ties with the Indian Navy,” said Capt. Peter Kim, Princeton’s commanding officer. “We were able to achieve a high level of integration and cooperation while conducting many events to include gunnery and air defense exercises.”
As Princeton’s main role in the CSG, air defense is not taken lightly. The cooperative deployment provided Princeton the opportunity to display the capability of the ship, while also strengthening the working relationship with the Indian Navy.
“During the ADEX we conducted with the Indian Navy, four of their warships joined Princeton and Sterett to defend each other against simulated threat aircraft and missiles,” said Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin Petrisin, Princeton’s air warfare officer. “It’s important to do exercises like this with other nations’ navies to continue to build partnerships and also learn how they operate and what they can teach us.”
Along with the ADEX, the two navies also conducted flight operations to solidify the capability of landing American helicopters on the Indian ships, and landing Indian helicopters on the American ships.
“Landing the Indian helicopter was one of the more exciting experiences throughout my time aboard Princeton, and was definitely an accomplishment as a landing signalman,” said Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Daniel Alamilla. “Doing these types of exercises to build relations with other nations is important as it shows that we are committed to keeping a close relationship with partner navies from around the world.”
Upon completion of all scheduled exercises, the Nimitz CSG and Indian Navy ships sailed in opposite directions and bid farewell.
The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, consisting of flagship USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Princeton, and Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), along with the Indian Navy ships Rana, Sahyadri, Shivalik and Kamorta, recently participated in a cooperative deployment in the Indian Ocean.
www.navy.mil
INDIAN OCEAN (NNS) -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), as part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG), conducted a cooperative deployment with ships and aircraft from the Indian Navy July 20 and 21.
The two navies conducted multiple exercises while operating together, including a live-fire exercise, an air defense exercise (ADEX), flight operations and a farewell passing exercise.
“This was a unique opportunity to train and strengthen ties with the Indian Navy,” said Capt. Peter Kim, Princeton’s commanding officer. “We were able to achieve a high level of integration and cooperation while conducting many events to include gunnery and air defense exercises.”
As Princeton’s main role in the CSG, air defense is not taken lightly. The cooperative deployment provided Princeton the opportunity to display the capability of the ship, while also strengthening the working relationship with the Indian Navy.
“During the ADEX we conducted with the Indian Navy, four of their warships joined Princeton and Sterett to defend each other against simulated threat aircraft and missiles,” said Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin Petrisin, Princeton’s air warfare officer. “It’s important to do exercises like this with other nations’ navies to continue to build partnerships and also learn how they operate and what they can teach us.”
Along with the ADEX, the two navies also conducted flight operations to solidify the capability of landing American helicopters on the Indian ships, and landing Indian helicopters on the American ships.
“Landing the Indian helicopter was one of the more exciting experiences throughout my time aboard Princeton, and was definitely an accomplishment as a landing signalman,” said Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Daniel Alamilla. “Doing these types of exercises to build relations with other nations is important as it shows that we are committed to keeping a close relationship with partner navies from around the world.”
Upon completion of all scheduled exercises, the Nimitz CSG and Indian Navy ships sailed in opposite directions and bid farewell.
The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, consisting of flagship USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Princeton, and Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), along with the Indian Navy ships Rana, Sahyadri, Shivalik and Kamorta, recently participated in a cooperative deployment in the Indian Ocean.
USS Princeton, Indian Navy Conduct Cooperative Deployment
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton conducted a cooperative deployment with ships and aircraft from the Indian Navy July 20 and 21.
OSINTs are posting images of 2 J20s in Hotan airbase. I hope they are real stuff and not some inflatable decoys. Otherwise IAF would be disappointed.
India may hold joint naval exercise with France, Australia
India may hold joint naval exercise with France, Australia
By Manu Pubby, ET Bureau
Last Updated: Sep 17, 2020, 07:42 AM IST
This gains significance given the current border tensions and recent aggressive deployments by the PLA Navy in the region, with analysts predicting that the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) will soon see a larger and dangerous Chinese presence.
NEW DELHI: India is looking at stepping up relations and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and could embark on a new series of joint military exercises with France and Australia, nations that have deep interests in the southern Indian Ocean.
This gains significance given the current border tensions and recent aggressive deployments by the PLA Navy in the region, with analysts predicting that the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) will soon see a larger and dangerous Chinese presence.
In the past few years, India has strengthened bilateral relations with both France and Australia and conducts regular joint training exercises involving the navy and air force in the Indian Ocean. Sources said that expanding this into a trilateral naval exercise initiative has been discussed at the top level, including at the recent visit by French defence minister Florence Parly earlier this month.
The visiting minister held high-level discussions with defence minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, focusing on the security scenario and upcoming challenges in the Indian Ocean Region and stepping up cooperation, government sources said.
“Minister Parly’s visit to India for the Rafale induction ceremony marked a new chapter in Indo-French defence ties and demonstrated the exceptional trust between our two countries. The minister also discussed in detail with minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval how to further intensify our maritime security cooperation in the Indo Pacific, with the goal in particular of carrying out increasingly ambitious joint naval exercises,” French ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain told ET.
India already conducts the Varuna series of naval exercises with France, with the last edition featuring French aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle that operates the marine version of the Rafale fighter jets as well as a nuclear submarine.
economictimes.indiatimes.com
India may hold joint naval exercise with France, Australia
By Manu Pubby, ET Bureau
Last Updated: Sep 17, 2020, 07:42 AM IST
Synopsis
This gains significance given the current border tensions and recent aggressive deployments by the PLA Navy in the region, with analysts predicting that the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) will soon see a larger and dangerous Chinese presence.
NEW DELHI: India is looking at stepping up relations and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and could embark on a new series of joint military exercises with France and Australia, nations that have deep interests in the southern Indian Ocean.
This gains significance given the current border tensions and recent aggressive deployments by the PLA Navy in the region, with analysts predicting that the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) will soon see a larger and dangerous Chinese presence.
In the past few years, India has strengthened bilateral relations with both France and Australia and conducts regular joint training exercises involving the navy and air force in the Indian Ocean. Sources said that expanding this into a trilateral naval exercise initiative has been discussed at the top level, including at the recent visit by French defence minister Florence Parly earlier this month.
The visiting minister held high-level discussions with defence minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, focusing on the security scenario and upcoming challenges in the Indian Ocean Region and stepping up cooperation, government sources said.
“Minister Parly’s visit to India for the Rafale induction ceremony marked a new chapter in Indo-French defence ties and demonstrated the exceptional trust between our two countries. The minister also discussed in detail with minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval how to further intensify our maritime security cooperation in the Indo Pacific, with the goal in particular of carrying out increasingly ambitious joint naval exercises,” French ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain told ET.
India already conducts the Varuna series of naval exercises with France, with the last edition featuring French aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle that operates the marine version of the Rafale fighter jets as well as a nuclear submarine.
India may hold joint naval exercise with France, Australia
This gains significance given the current border tensions and recent aggressive deployments by the PLA Navy in the region, with analysts predicting that the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) will soon see a larger and dangerous Chinese presence.