The United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group led by the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s largest warship, is conducting a three-day complex maritime exercises with the Indian Navy in the Bay of Bengal.
The maritime partnership exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy will see the two navies conducting a range of multi-ship, air, sea and sub-surface maritime evolutions, as well as, close quarter manoeuvreing.
The bilateral maritime exercise was designed to hone the ability of the two navies to operate together in the maritime domain.
The maiden exercise between Indian Navy and the Royal Navy’s latest Aircraft Carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth included participation of CSG-21 comprising Type 23 Frigates and an Astute-class submarine in addition to the other surface combatants, said an Indian government statement.
On the other hand, the Indian Navy was represented by INS Satpura, Ranvir, Jyoti,Kavaratti, Kulish and a submarine. Besides, Anti-Submarine Warfare capable Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft P8I also participated in the exercise.
The exercise also witnessed the maiden participation of the F 35 B Lightning which operate from the deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth, added the statement.
The inter-operability achieved over the years has ensured a quantum jump in the complexity and scale of professional exchanges which is being further enhanced by the presence of the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group in the Indian Ocean.
