It is probably a sign of the changing times that the ‘Malabar CY 07-2’ has been planned in China’s backyard. The exercises, near the Andaman Islands, will be held close to China’s monitoring stations at Coco Islands and near the strategic Strait of Malacca.So far, the Malabar series of the Indo-US exercises have always been conducted off the western coast of India. China is unlikely to take the exercise too well — it is already wary of an emerging NATO-like quadrilateral security engagement between India, Australia, US and Japan and sees it as a ‘strategic encirclement’ of the country.This is a charge that all the participating nations are quick to dismiss. “There is no effort on our part or any of these other countries to isolate China or put Beijing in a closet. As it happens, there are interests shared by the US, India, Japan, Australia and others all across the region,” Admiral Timothy Keating, Pacific Area Commander of US forces, said this week. PLAYERS AND THEIR FLEETAUSTRALIAFrigate Adeliade and tanker ship Sirius: The long-range escort frigate with its supply ship will be part of a finely-balanced approach by Australia to engage India without isolating China. The first naval exercise with India comes three years after it conducted a search and rescue exercise with the North China Sea fleet in 2004 JAPANMissile Destroyers Oonami and Udachi:The Japanese self-defence ships are coming to the Bay of Bengal for the first time. While communication problems will restrain any complex manoeuvres with the Japanese ships, the exercise will be a step forward from the Malabar 01 trilateral combat exercise with the US off Yokusuka near the Tokyo Bay in April this year. This will be the third engagement with Japanese ships this year. The destroyer Suzunami made a port call at Mumbai earlier this month and carried out a small exercise on its way out USAircraft carriers USS Nimitz: The flagship of the US Navy flotilla for the exercise is one of the largest supercarriers in the world and carries 85 aircraft, including the F/A 18 Super Hornet fighters. The 97,000-tonne, nuclear-powered, multi-mission carrier is likely to be designated as the primary 'target' for Indian Air Force's shore-based Jaguar fighter aircraft during the exerciseUSS Kitty Hawk: The only conventionally powered aircraft carrier with the US Navy also has 85 aircraft on board and is loaded with 2,000 tonnes of ordnance. Kitty Hawk is scheduled to retire next year, triggering speculations about a possible sale to IndiaNuclear SubmarinesUSS Chicago: Adding a vital underwater component to the exercise will be this stealthy nuclear attack submarine. It will be armed with Tomahawk missiles, Mark 48 torpedoes and naval mines. With India planning to launch theATV nuclear submarine next year, the exercise willprovide a unique learning opportunity to the navyGuided Missile DestroyersJohn Paul Jones, Mustin, Curtis Wilbur, Chafee, Higgins, Pinckney: Perhaps the most powerful destroyers in the world. The Indian Navy will practice cross deck helicopter operations on these vessels to hone inter-operabilityTanker shipsEricsson and Rainer: Will look after requirements of the US fleet during the exercise INDIA Aircraft CarrierINS Viraat: The sole Indian aircraft carrier displacing 29,000 tonnes may appear like a midget before the Nimitz but will engage the supercarrier with its Sea Harrier fighters. The exercise is likely to see dissimilar air combat and interception of shore-based aircraft. While naval officers are confident that the carrier will see service till 2012, the World War II era ship is fast nearing the end of its service lifeGuided Missile Destroyers, Frigates: Two Rajput class, one Delhi class, two Godavari class, one Brahmaputra class and four missile corvettes. These top-of-the-line destroyers will form the backbone of the desi flotilla. Designated 'enemy' would want to keep clear of the Indo-Russian BrahMos ship killer missiles mounted on the destroyersOthersHDW 209 and Russian Kilo class submarines have also been detailed for the exercise though Indian Navy is not keen on elaborating its role. The navy will also operate its shore-based TU 142 long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft and Jaguars fighters. SINGAPOREFrigate Formidable: The brand new French origin frigate was inducted earlier this year and is considered one of the most advanced vessels in its class. THE GAMEMalabar CY 07-2 will be an air-defence exercise involving over 200 aircraft operating from both land and sea. The scenario to be played out during the war game will be operating combat ships in an air-dominated environment With close to 40 types of aircraft participating in the manoeuvres, planners have worked out scenarios like dissimilar air combat, interception of shore-based aircraft and air defence of war ships towards the end of the exerciseA group of vessels are also scheduled to play out an anti-submarine operation to hunt the USS Chicago using air assets. The exercise will also involve cross deck helicopter operations to develop inter-operability for disaster relief and rescue missions
