New Delhi
October 26, 2006
(Press Information Bureau)

The Indian and US Navies are conducting a joint exercise, 'Malabar - 06' off Goa from 24 Oct to 05 Nov 2006. This is the ninth bilateral exercise with the US in recent years spelling the growing cooperation between the two countries. The IN units are Mysore (Delhi class destroyer), the guided missile frigates Beas and Ganga, underway replenishment tanker Shakti, a large landing ship (Tank) Gharial, the sub-surface killer submarine INS Shankul, Coast Guard Ship Samar and reconnaissance aircraft and Sea Harrier fighters operating from ashore. 

The US Navy's Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG-05) comprises USS Boxer (landing platform - helicopter & dock), the cruiser USS Bunker Hill, destroyers Benfold and Howard, the US Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, the Canadian Frigate Ottawa, the nuclear powered submarine USS Providence and a P3C Orion (operating from Goa).

The two navies would, for the first time, be also exercising expeditionary operations off the Konkan coast. For this operation involving sea-borne landings, some of our army troops have already been trained an onboard INS Gharial (a landing ship). These troops would now be exercising with US Marines as a part of Malabar - 06.

The exercise will see the two navies engaging in advanced exercises including anti-submarine operations, maritime interdictions, weapon firings, Visit Board Search & Seizure (VBSS) operations, Dissimilar Air Combat (DACT), cross deck flying and a simulated 'war at sea'. At one level, such Navy-to-Navy interactions help us to hone our skills and audit our own standards by first hand comparison with navies of advanced countries. On the other, it improves mutual understanding and co-operation and helps evolve inter-operability through common drills and procedures. 

A day at sea for distinguished visitors and media is planned on 29 Oct.