The Royal Australian Navy and Indian Navy warships have conducted a two-day passage exercise (PASSEX) in the northeast Indian Ocean.
During the PASSEX, the RAN Hobart-class guided-missile destroyer HMAS Hobart (DDG 39) sailed alongside Indian Navy Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate INS Sahyadri (F49) and Kora-class corvette INS Karmuk (P64). Together the ships practiced maritime maneuvers, communication and aviation drills and maritime warfare serials.
Commanding Officer HMAS Hobart Commander Ryan Gaskin said the Australian officers and sailors enjoyed working alongside their Indian colleagues because they were professional mariners who share a common goal for the Indo-Pacific.
“The last few years have witnessed closer Australia-India maritime relations and we look forward to any opportunity to exercise with the Indian Navy in the future,” Commander Gaskin said.
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Commander of the Australian Maritime Task Group Captain Phillipa Hay said improving interoperability between the Australian and Indian navies was important to maintain the positive trajectory of the relationship.
“Navy is committed to ensuring we are able to work seamlessly with all of our partners in the Indo-Pacific in support of our shared vision for the region,” Captain Hay said. “To achieve this, it is important we train and operate together across different platforms as a matter of routine. Safe and secure seas are essential for security and growth. The right of access and freedom of navigation in and around the Indian and Pacific is crucial for ensuring peace for the entire region.”
RAN ships HMAS Hobart, HMAS Stuart, HMAS Arunta and HMAS Sirius are part of a Regional Presence Deployment focused on engaging with partners in the Indo-Pacific region. So far the Australian ships have exercised with 11 nations from around the region, including Japan, the Republic of Korea, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.
