US to lead international naval exercise in Indian Ocean

Among the participants: the UAE, India, France, Australia, Japan and the US. The official aim: demonstrate presence in maritime trade routes and maintain freedom

Large-scale naval maneuvers are expected in the coming months in the Indian Ocean with the participation of units from the UAE, India, France, Australia, Japan, and the US. The overall aim is to demonstrate presence and control in maritime trade routes and freedom of navigation in the huge area of the sea between the Persian Gulf and the Straits of Malacca.

The Hindustan Times newspaper reported that on April 25 there will be a trilateral naval exercise by the UAE, France and India between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Ahead of the event, the foreign and finance ministers of France will visit India, and eight Rafale fighters will fly to India, making a stopover in the UAE for refueling.

Also, in the beginning of April, there will be a naval exercise by France and the member countries of the Quad grouping – India, the US, Australia and Japan – whose ships will train in the Bay of Bengal. Missile boats, submarines, frigates, fighter planes and surveillance planes will participate.

The political aspects of the exercises will be reflected by a summit of the heads of the Quad member states in March, a visit to Delhi by American Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Indian Prime Minister Modi will meet with French President Macron at an EU conference in Portugal in May. India and France have a longstanding partnership regarding their fleets, acquisition of ships and exercises.

Source: israeldefense.co.il

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