4TH EDITION OF AUSINDEX HAS BEGUN

4TH EDITION OF AUSINDEX HAS BEGUN

Context:

The 4th edition of AUSINDEX, a bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy has begun. Naval exercise ‘AUSINDEX’ is a bilateral maritime exercise between India and Australia. 

About 4th edition of AUSINDEX:

• It started on September 06, 2021, and will continue up to September 10, 2021.
• The Indian Navy Task Group consists of INS Shivalik and INS Kadmatt.
• The participating vessels form part of the Indian Navy’s Visakhapatnam-based Eastern Fleet under the Eastern Naval Command (ENC).
• It includes complex surface, sub-surface and air operations between ships, submarines, helicopters and long-range maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) of the two participating navies.

Significance of this exercise:

• To combat transnational crime, terrorism, people smuggling and illegal fishing.
• To enjoy a peaceful and prosperous Indian Ocean region.

3rd Edition of the Exercise:

• It was concluded in April 2019 in the Bay of Bengal.
• It involved advanced warfare drills in all three dimensions, comprising anti-submarine, air defence, and anti-surface warfare exercises, including live-fire drills, replenishment at sea, and cross deck flying.

AUSINDEX:

• It started in 2015 as a bilateral maritime exercise between India and Australia.