25 September 2020
Australian and Indian warships have conducted a two-day passage exercise in the north-east Indian Ocean.
The guided missile destroyer, HMAS Hobart, sailed alongside ships INS Sahyadri and Karmuk from the Indian Navy on September 23.
Together they practised maritime manoeuvres, communication and aviation drills and maritime warfare serials.
Commanding Officer Hobart Commander Ryan Gaskin said the Australian officers and sailors enjoyed working alongside their Indian colleagues.
“The last few years have witnessed closer Australia-India maritime relations and we look forward to any opportunity to exercise with the Indian Navy in the future,” Commander Gaskin said.
Commander of the Australian Maritime Task Group Captain Phillipa Hay said improving interoperability between the Australian and Indian navies was important to maintain the positive trajectory of the relationship.
“Navy is committed to ensuring we are able to work seamlessly with all of our partners in the Indo-Pacific in support of our shared vision for the region,” Captain Hay said.
“To achieve this, it is important we train and operate together across different platforms as a matter of routine.
“Australia and India share a close partnership and shared commitment to maintaining a secure, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
HMA Ships Hobart, Stuart, Arunta and Sirius are part of a Regional Presence Deployment focused on engaging with partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
So far the Australian ships have exercised with 11 nations from around the region, including Japan, South Korea, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.
