The month-long exercise of the combined fleets of Eastern and Western Naval commands at sea off East coast was embarked by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral D.K. Joshi and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Anil Chopra on Thursday.
The combined Eastern and Western Fleets are currently engaged in a month-long major exercise. Amongst the large number of participating units are included the aircraft carrier Viraat and the nuclear submarine Chakra.
The exercise will be conducted against the backdrop of two completely networked fleets, widely dispersed across the Indian Ocean Region, operating in a dense maritime environment. Missile, torpedo and gun firings will be undertaken. This year’s exercise will witness the maiden participation of the recently acquired P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft, as also the Hawk fighter-trainer aircraft. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Airborne Early Warning helicopters of Indian Navy as also air-to-air refuellers, Jaguars and SU 30 aircraft of Indian Air Force will be deployed in the exercise.
