Editor-DN
gave Russian-made aircraft carriers and frigates will join the US Navy’s USS Nimitz as the navies of the quad nations gather in the Bay of Bengal (BoB) to participate in the Malabar War Games aimed at anti-submarine warfare in the region. have to do
In October, India will host the 28th edition of the annual Malabar naval exercise. The navies of the quad nations — India, the US, Japan and Australia — will converge on the Eastern Seaboard to practice anti-submarine warfare exercises and work on mutual cooperation.
The Bay of Bengal lies above the sea lanes of communication that connect China, Japan and Korea with the Middle East and Africa. Half of the world’s trade passes through these routes. The region is vital to America’s ‘free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific’ policy, a euphemism for checking Chinese aggression.
The exercise comes at a time when the Chinese Navy is entering the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The People’s Liberation Army Navy is building naval bases in the larger IoR to increase its naval reach.
China is also helping the coastal countries of the Bay of Bengal develop their maritime legs. More recently, it has helped Bangladesh build a submarine base for its Chinese-supplied submarines.
The Indian Navy will deploy its INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier, formerly known as Admiral Gorshkov, P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, and MiG-29K deck-based fighters. The carrier will be supported by Russian-built Talwar-class frigates and Calvary-class submarines.
The US Navy is expected to deploy its Nimitz-class aircraft carriers as well as destroyers and submarines. The ship will be equipped with F/A-18 Super Hornets and Hawkeye aircraft designed for multi-role operations including air defense and anti-submarine warfare.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will likely send one of its Izumo-class helicopter carriers, which have recently been upgraded to accommodate F-35B fighter jets.
Additionally, Japan could deploy Aegis-equipped destroyers, like the Maya class, for missile defense and anti-aircraft warfare. Japan is playing a major role in the security of the region as China becomes more aggressive.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will likely deploy its Hobart-class destroyers and Anzac-class frigates. Equipped with the Aegis combat system, the Hobart-class destroyers offer strong air and missile defense capabilities. Australia is also expected to contribute its Collins-class submarines, increasing the exercise’s focus on anti-submarine warfare. Australian MH-60R Seahawk helicopters will help conduct reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
Exercise Malabar was launched in 1992 as a bilateral initiative between India and the US. Since then, it has evolved into a multinational effort, with Japan and Australia regularly participating.
Recent editions have been held off the coast of Sydney and Yokosuka, highlighting its growing strategic importance in ensuring regional stability and protecting maritime trade routes.
India is the linchpin of America’s counter-China policy
The US is touting its new status as India’s number one training partner, but veterans of the Indian Navy have lamented the trust issues between the two countries despite the progress.
Despite India being the largest operator of the P-8 submarine hunter aircraft outside the US, it has not been included in the P-8 sonobuoy data-sharing agreement between the US, UK and Australia, resulting in new allies. I have joined. Changing the world order.
Citing it as an issue of trust, Indian naval officers say “interoperability” between the US and Indian navies is still at least a decade away.
The Indian Navy operates 12 Boeing P-8 Poseidon aircraft to carry out maritime patrol and reconnaissance missions in the Indian Ocean region. In 2009, the force was the first exporter of P-8s.
However, the US is ready to sell anti-submarine sonobuoys to India to boost its anti-submarine warfare capability. Because they are high-altitude sonobuoys, they can be deployed from Poseidon P-8I aircraft and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. When the Indian Navy acquires its MQ-9 Sea Guardians, it will be able to deploy these sonobuoys to track enemy submarines.
The People’s Liberation Army Navy is now the largest navy in the world, with the largest number of hulls. According to the Pentagon, the Chinese Navy currently has 370 ships while the US Navy has 291 ships.
Beijing is also expanding its underwater warfare capabilities. Its submarine fleet will increase to 65 by 2025 and 80 by 2035.
This is a major concern for India as the frequency of visits by Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean region is increasing.
The US government has said the proposed sale will support US foreign policy and national security objectives. These sonobuoys will be integrated with the MH-60 R helicopters that the Indian Navy recently acquired from the US. The first squadron was raised in March this year, and all helicopters are expected to arrive by 2025.
The MH-60R Seahawk is the maritime variant of the combat-proven UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, which is in service with several countries. Equipped for anti-submarine and anti-surface naval warfare, the MH-60Rs will enhance the operational reach of Indian naval battle groups in the Indian Ocean region.
With a service range of 20,000 feet, the helicopter carries lightweight torpedoes, air-to-surface missiles, and sophisticated sensors for long-range access, hunting, and destroying threats from enemy submarines and warships. take away
Chinese submarine threats have been the main focus of RIMPAC-2024 as the Indian Navy’s P-8I and other countries improve their anti-submarine capabilities.
