Third time India, Japan and the United States started the joint Malabar Naval Exercises with warships, submarines, aircrafts and helicopters in the north-western Pacific since yesterday. This US Indian operations started since 1992. For the third time India invited Japan to participate. The “harbor phase” began on July 24 and the “sea phase” is slated for July 27.
As can be seen in the previous story below [String of pearls], China strongly protested when Japan, Australia, and Singapore joined exercise in 2007. According to India, they will not participate in a U.S. led counter China policy with other countries. As usual US denies this has anything to do with their China Policy.
India has sent three warships; INS Ranvijay the guided-missile destroyer, INS Shivalik the stealth frigate, the tanker INS Shakti, and also Kamov-28 and Chetak helicopters. U.S. is participating with its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier the USS George Washington, USS Shiloh, an Ticonderoga class destroyer, John S McCain an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and the nuclear submarine USS Columbus. US is expected to use the P-3 Orion aircraft and MH-60R helicopters. Japan deployed its destroyers, the JS Kurama and the JS Ashigara, as well as the US-2i ShinMaywa amphibious aircraft. Japan earlier had offered to sell this to India. India during the recent weeks also participated in naval exercises with the Russian Navy in Vladivostok, Russia.
China will again react.
INS Ranvijay with Brahmos Missiles
INS Shivalik – Stealth Frigate
INS Shakti – Deepak class Fleet Tanker
yudhampragya 