News Highlight
P8I aircraft of the Indian Navy arrived at Guam, USA, on March 14, 2023, to participate in Exercise Sea Dragon 23.
Key Takeaway
- The United States, Canada, India, Japan, and South Korea conduct anti-submarine warfare exercises together.
- While negotiations between Japanese and South Korean leaders.
- It aimed at fortifying their alliance with Washington against Chinese and North Korean threats.
- They would result in over 270 hours of in-flight training “ranging from monitoring simulated targets to the culminating difficulty of tracking a US Navy submarine.”
Exercise Sea Dragon 23
- About
- Sea Dragon 23 is a biennial multinational coordinated anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise for long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
- The United States Navy is hosting the exercise, which includes friendly navies from;
- Japan
- Canada
- South Korea
- India
- The exercise’s goal is for the participating countries to establish high levels of synergy and coordination.
- It is founded on their common values and dedication to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific.
- This year, it will occur from March 15 to March 30.
- The Sea Dragon Exercise, originally held in 2015, is now in its third year.
- The Indian Navy is represented by a P8I aircraft, along with;
- P8A of the US Navy
- P1 from the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force
- CP 140 from the Royal Canadian Air Force
- P3C from the RoKN.
- Objectives
- The major goal of the exercise is to strengthen coordination among countries participating in multilateral anti-submarine warfare drills.
- The exercise will feature advanced ASW drills and realistic situations.
- It will test the participating aircraft’s skills in detecting and tracking underwater targets.
- The exercise also promotes mutual expertise and knowledge sharing among participants.
P-8I Aircraft
- About
- It is a maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft with an extensive range.
- It is an Indian variant of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft created by Boeing to replace the US Navy’s ageing P-3 fleet.
- If necessary, the P-8Is detect threats and annihilate them far before they reach Indian coasts.
- It has a maximum speed of 907 kmph and an operating range of nearly 1,200 nautical miles.
- In 2009, the Indian Navy became the P-8’s first overseas customer.
- In 2009, the Navy purchased eight P-8Is at USD 2.2 billion.
- The aircraft are assigned to the 312A Naval Air Squadron, headquartered in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu.
Indo-US Defense Ties
- Overview
- For the United States, India remains a vital force in the Indo-Pacific and South Asian regions for political stability, peace, and economic prosperity.
- Military purchases from the United States have been increasingly vital to strengthening ties between the two countries.
- From practical nil in 2008, India-US defence trade is expected to reach USD 20 billion by 2020, thanks to key legislative changes.
- The United States has identified India as a Significant Defense Partner (in 2016).
- In addition, under Strategic Trade Authorization-1 (STA), it was allowed the same access to defence technology as NATO partners and Australia, Japan, and South Korea in 2018.
How is China expanding its Maritime Domain?
- China’s navy is participating in combined search and rescue exercises with Iran and Russia in the Gulf of Oman.
- The dispute between China and Japan over minor islands in the East China Sea has also heated up.
- It has both sides accusing the other of invading their maritime jurisdiction.
- China is also conducting Security Bond-2023 drills with other countries.
Four Foundational Agreements between the US and its Partners
- General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA)
- India signed it in 2002.
- It enables the military to share the intelligence they have obtained.
- Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA)
- India signed it in 2016.
- It enables both countries to use each other’s military facilities for refuelling and replenishment.
- Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA)
- India signed it in 2018.
- The India-specific variant of CISMOA is the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA).
- Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA)
- India signed BECA in 2020.
- It enables India and the United States militaries to communicate geospatial and satellite data.
Other joint exercises of India
- Yudh Abhyas – US
- Vajra Prahar – US
- Samprithi – Bangladesh
- Mitra Shakti – Sri Lanka
- Garuda Shakti – Indonesia
- SIMPEX – Singapore
Conclusion
- The Indian Navy’s involvement in Exercise Sea Dragon 23 demonstrates its dedication.
- Its naval capabilities will be improved, and cooperation with like-minded governments in the Indo-Pacific area will be strengthened.
Pic Courtesy: Indian Express
Content Source: The Hindu