New Delhi, Jan 7: India and US have joined with other partner countries for the multi-national anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise ‘Sea Dragon 2022’ at the Andersen Air Force Base, Guam in the Western Pacific, a statement by US Navy said on Friday.
According to the US Indo Pacific Command, “Sea Dragon is a US led multi-national exercise designed to practice and discuss anti-submarine warfare tactics to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.”
The other force which are part of the exercise are the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Indian Navy, Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Navy.
The exercise assumes significance in the face of strained relations that some countries have with China and the growing forays of the PLA-Navy into the Indian ocean region. The Indian Navy has recently inducted two more Poseidon 8I maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, which would further boost its ability to keep an eye over the Chinese ships and submarines in the region.
“Sea Dragon 22, primarily centering on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training and excellence, culminates in over 270 hours of in-flight training, ranging from tracking simulated targets to the final problem of tracking a live US Navy submarine. During classroom training sessions, pilots and flight officers from all countries build plans and discuss tactics incorporating the capabilities and equipment of their respective nations,” a statement issued by the US Navy’s press office said.
Each event will be graded, and the nation scoring the highest total points will receive the coveted Dragon Belt award, said the US Navy.
Cmdr Michiyama Tomoyuki of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) said, “I believe that by conducting a wide range of training, from classroom training on the ground to actual training targeting submarine, we will be able to improve our tactical skills. In addition, through training, exchange of opinions, and various types of exchanges, we expect to strengthen cooperation and deepen mutual understanding among the participating navies and air forces.”
Two Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft of the US Navy will be conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance and theater outreach operations within the 7th Fleet area of operations.
