The Bilateral Maritime Exercise between India and Australia ‘AUSINDEX-15’, conducted on the east coast of India, at Visakhapatnam from 11 –19 September 15.
The exercise inaugurated by Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, Head Navy Capability Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Rear Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet onboard INS Shivilak at Visakhapatnam.
Aim
Strengthening professional interaction, both in harbour and at sea and would be a start for attaining interoperability between the two navies.
The maritime exercise is a tangible sign that will strengthen defence co-operation between the two countries as envisaged in the Framework for Security Co-operation announced by the Australian and Indian Prime Ministers in 2014.
Participants
The week-long Bilateral Maritime Exercise comprised of 2 ships, 1 submarine of Royal Australian Navy
– HMAS Sirius (fleet tanker)
– HMAS Arunta (Anzac class frigate)
– HMAS Sheean (Collins class submarine)
The Indian Navy represented by
– INS Shivalik (stealth frigate)
– INS Ranvijay (guided missile destroyer)
– INS Shakti (Fleet tanker)
In addition, one Royal Australian Air Force P3C Orion surveillance aircraft and Indian Navy’s P8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft will operate from Chennai during the drill.
The exercise started with a Harbour Phase encompassing briefings and practical demonstrations along with professional interactions and wouldprogress to a Sea Phase which would include Fleet man oeuvres, gun firings as well as coordinated anti-submarine exercises.