India, U.K. Hold Joint Naval ExerciseBy vivek raghuvanshi
Published: 21 Apr 12:23 EDT (08:23 GMT)
NEW DELHI - India and the United Kingdom are holding major sea exercises April 21 to May 2 on India's western seaboard off the state of Goa. The joint Konkan 2008 exercises will inlcude the participation of the U.K. aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious.
The Konkan series is part of an effort to boost Indo-U.K. defense ties, an Indian Defence Ministry official said. In addition to the Illustrious, Royal Navy participation will include the guided-missile frigate HMS Westminister, the fleet replenishment tanker RFA Wave Knight, the afloat stores ship RFA Fort Austin, and the hunter-killer submarine HMS Trafalgar, along with embedded units FS Surcouf and USS Cole.
The Indian Navy will field the guided-missile destroyers INS Mysore and INS Rajput, guided-missile frigate INS Gomati, fleet replenishment tanker INS Asitya and the submarine INS Shishumar.
An Indian Navy official said India's aircraft carrier INS Viraat could not take part because it is undergoing maintenance. However, Sea Harrier jump-jets from the Viraat will participate from Goa.
The main objective of the exercise is combined maritime operations, including visit, board, search and seizure procedures and anti-submarine warfare.
The exercise will be conducted under the tactical command of Rear Adm. Anil Chopra, the flag officer commander of the Indian Navy's Western Fleet. The British force will be commanded by Commodore Tom Cunningham, commander Carrier Strike Group, who will be embarked on the Illustrious.
Source
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3489441&c=SEA&s=TOP
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