Indian Navy ships participate in Group Sail exercise
Indian Navy ships, Kolkata and Shakti, have carried out a Group Sail exercise with naval ships of Japan, Philippines and the US in the South China Sea, the Indian Navy announced on 9 May.
The Group Sail from 3-9 May 2019 witnessed the participation of six combatants from the four participating countries including the guided missile destroyer INS Kolkata and fleet support ship INS Shakti of the Indian Navy, helicopter carrier JMSDF Izumo and destroyer JMSDF Murasame of Japan; frigate BRP Andres Bonifacio of the Philippines and Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Williams P Lawrence of the US. The Group Sail was aimed at deepening existing partnerships and fostering mutual understanding among participating navies.
The ships undertook various exercises enroute, including formation manoeuvring, underway replenishment runs, cross-deck flying and exchange of sea riders.
INS Kolkata and Shakti are on return passage from their successful deployment to South and East China Seas as part of the annual Eastern Fleet Overseas Deployment during which they visited Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, Qingdao, China and Busan, South Korea.
On departing Busan, both ships participated in ADMM-PLUS MS FTX Phase I exercises from 1-3 May 2019 off South Korea with the navies of Brunei, China, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and the US.
The Phase II of ADMM-PLUS MS FTX is scheduled from 9-12 May 2019 in the South China Sea. On completion of Phase II, all participating ships including INS Kolkata and Shakti are scheduled to attend the closing ceremony of ADMM-PLUS MS and participate in the International Maritime Defence Expo 2019 in Singapore.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Australia is ramping up its uncrewed surface fleet as Sea Archer lines up for key requirement
As advances in uncrewed technology increasingly shape Australia’s maritime future, Shephard spoke with the country’s head of navy capability and a Leidos Australia executive about the operational advantages behind the shift.
-
What does Saab’s operations shake-up mean for its new ‘Naval’ chapter?
Saab’s merger of its Kockums and Naval Combat Systems divisions into a single business area called Naval, effective 1 April 2026, aims to enhance efficiency, innovation and competitive positioning in the naval sector.
-
Iran and the future of amphibious operations: crewed and uncrewed solutions
Amphibious operations are a very unique type of military operation, and global defence industries are developing new solutions to enhance capabilities and efficiency.
-
US Navy to acquire and test uncrewed surface vessel prototypes by the end of FY2026
The new autonomous surface vessels are planned to be operationally fielded in FY2027, following the completion of on-water trials.
-
Hanwha Ocean and TKMS are firming up their Canadian next-gen submarine proposals
CPSP competitors are proposing platforms fitted with advanced, next-generation capabilities to be built and sustained in cooperation with the Canadian industry.