Navy to train with top fleets

The INS Viraat 8212; the Navy8217;s only aircraft carrier, Shishumar-class German Class 209/1500 submarines, Russian stealth frigates and Delhi-class destroyers will train with a US nuclear-powered carrier carrying a fleet of F/A-18 Hornets. This is the first time the Navy8217;s Sea Harriers will get a chance to fly with the US carrier-based jets. The Navy will also get to engage upgraded US P-3C Orions, on offer to the government.

The exercises come just weeks after an IAF team returned from a separate exercise with the French air force. The naval exercises, set for end-November around the Horn of Africa, will coincide with the IAF-USAF joint exercises at Kalaikonda.

The exercises, codenamed Varuna IV, will be held with French naval warships including the nuclear-powered carrier Charles de Gaulle and French nuclear submarines from Djibouti.

Between these exercises, Indian Navy warships will also train with a Russian warship fleet in the Bay of Bengal, the second in a series of exercises. The Russian battle group will bring stealth frigates and Akula-class nuclear submarines 8212; which the Navy has long been interested in purchasing or leasing.

For now, warships are heading to waters in the Indian Ocean Region for an exercise next Monday with the Singapore Navy. Exercises will also be held with the Indonesian and Malaysian navies.