India, Japan hold naval exercise in Bay of Bengal

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CategoryDefence

Last Updated15/01/2022

Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt on January 13 this year undertook maritime partnership exercise with Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Ships Uraga and Hirado in the Bay of Bengal.
Both JMSDF ships are part of Minesweeper Division One and are on deployment to Indian Ocean Region with Captain Noguchi Yasushi, Commander Minesweeper Division One embarked on-board JS Uraga, said a statement of the Ministry of Defence.

It was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, promoting defence cooperation, enhancing mutual understanding and inter-operability between the two navies and sharing best practices.
Maritime Partnership Exercise included a wide range of maritime operations viz. Flying Operations, Replenishment Approaches and Tactical Manoeuvres.
The entire exercise was planned and conducted in a non-contact mode, thereby adhering to COVID safety norms.

Naval cooperation between India and Japan has increased in scope and complexity over years.
In October last year, the fifth edition of India – Japan Maritime Bilateral Exercise, JIMEX, between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF), was held in the Arabian Sea.
JIMEX-21 was aimed at further enhancing the cooperation and mutual confidence between the two navies and fortify the long-standing bond of friendship between the two countries.
JIMEX series of exercises had commenced in January 2012 with special focus on maritime security cooperation.
Besides JIMEX, India and Japan conduct a joint land military exercise called ‘Dharma Guardian’, annually.
They also conduct a Joint Air Force exercise called ‘Shinyuu Maitri’.
Both countries are also involved in a Trilateral Maritime Exercise called Malabar with the USA.