Page 25 - ADT APRIL 2022 Online Magazine

Australia are an area of mutual interest to
both nations, as it is the gateway into the
Indian Ocean Region. India and Australia share
common strategic interests in promoting a free
and open Indo-Pacific and rules based order [ TRAINING ]
in the region. P8 aircraft from navies of both
nations have demonstrating their long reach
and operated jointly during the Malabar and
AUSINDEX series of exercises. These exer-
cises between the two navies create a common
understanding of operating procedures and
information sharing.
In April an Indian Navy Boeing P8I Maritime
Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft arrived in
Darwin, Australia to exercise with the Royal
Australian Air Force (RAAF). According to India’s
Ministry of Defence (MoD), the advanced mari-
time patrol aircraft and its crew are undertaking Belgaum, which is located in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
an operational turnaround at Darwin. The Indian Exercise Dharma Guardian is an annual training event being held
crew engaged with their counterparts from the in India since 2018, and according to India’s MoD, the latest exer-
RAAF’s 92 Wing, operating the P-8. Indian P-8Is cise with Japan was crucial and significant in terms of security
feature unique India specific changes, including challenges faced by both nations in the backdrop of current global
a Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) boom, situation.
which is not fitted on other P-8s. The crews These exercises covered platoon level joint training on operations in
also trained together conducting coordinated jungle and semi urban/urban terrain between combat experienced
ASW operations and surface surveillance, to troops of the 15th Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment
enhance maritime domain awareness. of the Indian Army and 30th Infantry Regiment of Japanese Ground
Self Defence Forces (JGSDF). The intent behind the exercises was
Japan to share experiences gained during operations in order to enhance
India is now increasing its training exercises inter-operability in planning & execution of various operations in
with the Japan Self Defence Forces (JSDF) jungle & semi urban/ urban terrain. Over the course of the 12 day
and the latest amongst these, Exercise Dharma long exercise, troops performed house interventions drills, raids on
Guardian, was held in February, at the Indian terrorist hideouts in semi urban terrain, combat first aid, unarmed
Army’s Foreign Training Node in the town of combat & close quarter combat firing. Both contingents jointly
trained, planned and executed a series of well-developed tactical
drills for neutralisation of likely threats, in addition to sharing their
experiences on exploiting drone and anti-drone weapons.

Sri Lanka
The Indian Navy’s Western Fleet was also deployed to Sri Lanka for
a maritime partnership exercise in March. Indian naval ships, INS
Chennai and Teg exercised with Sri Lanka Navy ship Sindurala. The
exercises began with a simulated situation of asymmetric threat
against ships leaving harbour by fast attack crafts of the Sri Lankan
Navy. The bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka,
SLINEX (Sri Lanka-India Exercise) was also concluded in March at
Visakhapatnam. The ninth edition of the exercises witnessed the
participation of INS Jyoti, Kirch along with Dornier Aircraft and ALH
MK Ill, Sea King, Chetak helicopters, joining the Sri Lankan Naval
Ship Sayurala, an Indian built Advanced Off-shore Patrol Vessel in
the exercises. The sea phase of SLINEX was held in the Bay of
Bengal and included joint boarding and slithering operations by
Special Forces of both navies. Other training exercises, included,
over the horizon targeting drills, maiden underway replenishment
of SLN ship with INS Jyoti and deck landing practices by Navy
ALH MK III helicopters on board SLN Sayurala. Exercises during
Sea Phase also saw activities such as anti-piracy drills, gun firings,
seamanship evolutions, communication procedures and Search
and Rescue (SAR) operations.

ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY April 2022 | 25