On September 23-24, 2020, Indian Navy conducted a two-day long Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in the East Indian Ocean Region (IOR) where Indian side was represented by stealth frigate INS (Indian Naval Ship) Sahyadri and missile corvette INS Karmuk Australian side included HMAS Hobart along with Indian Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), and helicopters from both the nations.
- This excercise was aimed at enhancing interoperability and to imbibe best practices from the other side.
- It should be noted that India-Australia conducts maritime exercise “AUSINDEX” biennially to boost defence cooperation in the maritime domain.
Key Points:
-The excercise involved the advance surface and anti-air exercises such as weapon firings, seamanship exercises, naval manoeuvres, and Cross Deck Flying Operations.
-The excercise was strictly carried out as “non-contact activity” and excluded all kinds of physical touch between the personnel participating amid COVID-19.
-These exercises are commonly organised by the Indian Navy with foreign navies that are friendly including visits to each other’s ports during a rendezvous at sea.
-This PASSEX being conducted in the East IOR states the growing strength of Indo-Australian bilateral relations as comprehensive strategic partners.
Recent Related News:
i.In July 2020, in order to promote mutual understanding, Indian Navy and Japanese Navy (Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force) have conducted a day long Naval Exercise PASSEX (Passing Exercise) for tactical and communications training, towards the Malacca Strait in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
ii.On July 20, 2020, Indian Navy undertook a short joint naval Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the United States (US) Navy near the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) islands in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to conduct maritime drills, against the backdrop of the India-China border standoff in Ladakh.
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Prime Minister– Scott John Morrison
