Exercise Malabar 2012

Indian - US naval forces to participate in "Malabar 2012"

Equipped with guided-missile cruiser, destroyer and submarine, US and Indian naval forces will participate in the 10-day long annual Malabar exercise in the Bay of Bengal, the US 7th Fleet announced today.

"The United States and India share common values and seafaring traditions. Our navies are natural partners, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen the bonds and personal relationships between our navies," it said.

A regularly scheduled naval field training exercise that has grown in scope and complexity over the years, Malabar 2012 is the latest in a continuing series of exercises conducted to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security issues, the 7th Fleet said in a statement.

Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, the guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey, a logistics ship, P-3C aircraft and a submarine would participate in the exercise from the American side, it said.

Noting that the exercise will feature both ashore and at- sea training, the statement said training will include subject matter expert and professional exchanges on counter-piracy, operations, carrier aviation operations, maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations and anti-submarine warfare operations.

Phase I of the at-sea training will be conducted in the vicinity of Chennai while Phase II will be conducted in the Bay of Bengal and west of the Nicobar Islands.

They are designed to advance participating nations' military-to-military coordination and capacity to plan and execute tactical operations in a multinational environment.

"The Indian Navy and US 7th Fleet have a common understanding and knowledge of a shared working environment at sea. This exercise helps to advance the level of understanding between our Sailors and we hope to be able to continue this process over time," the statement said.

Times of India

NDIAN OCEAN (Apr. 11, 2012) Indian Navy Ship's Ranvijay (D-55) and Sapura (D-48) transit the Indian Ocean in formation behind the guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) (not pictured) during a Malabar 2012 exercise. Ranvijay, Sapura and Halsey are participating in Malabar, a regularly scheduled naval field training exercise conducted to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Farrington/Released)

INDIAN OCEAN (Apr. 11, 2012) Indian Navy Ship Ranvijay (D-55) pulls alongside the guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) (not pictured) during a Malabar 2012 exercise. Halsey is participating in Malabar, a regularly scheduled naval field training exercise conducted to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Farrington/Released)

NDIAN OCEAN (April 11, 2012) The Indian Navy guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvir (DDG 54) leads the Kora-class corvette INS Kulish (P 63) during a passing exercise as part of Malabar 2012. Malabar is a regularly scheduled naval field training exercise designed to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security issues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Grandin)

INDIAN OCEAN (April 11, 2012) Indian Naval ships transit the Indian Ocean during a passing exercise in support of Malabar 2012. Malabar is a regularly scheduled naval field training exercise aimed to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security issues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Grandin)

INDIAN OCEAN (April 11, 2012) An Indian Navy Kamov Ka-31 helicopter prepares to land on the flight deck of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) in support of Malabar 2012. Malabar is a regularly scheduled naval field training exercise conducted to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security issues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Grandin)

INDIAN OCEAN (April 11, 2012) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Dwayne Foster signals as an Indian Navy Allouette helicopter launches from the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) . Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are deployed participating in the Malabar Exercise with ships and aircraft from the Indian Navy. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans/Released)

INDIAN OCEAN (April 11, 2012) Indian Navy ships transit the Indian Ocean during a passing exercise as part of Malabar 2012. Malabar is the latest in a continuing series of exercises between the U.S. and Indian navies conducted to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security issues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Grandin)

INDIAN OCEAN (April 12, 2012) – Sailors assigned to the Indian Navy guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay (DDG 55) visit, board, search and seizure team prepare to maneuver a rigid-hull inflatable boat to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) as part of Malabar 2012. Malabar is a regularly scheduled naval field training exercise aimed to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security issues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Grandin)

INDIAN OCEAN (Apr. 12, 2012) Sailors assigned to the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97), transit toward Indian Navy Ship Satpura (F-48) via rigid hull inflatable boat while an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter monitors from above, during a VBSS training exercise. Satpura and Halsey are participating in Malabar, a regularly scheduled naval field training exercise conducted to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual securities between the U.S. and Indian Navies. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Farrington/Released)

INDIAN OCEAN (April 12, 2012) – Sailors assigned to the Indian Navy guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay (DDG 55) visit, board, search and seizure team prepare to maneuver a rigid-hull inflatable boat alongside the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) as part of training during Malabar 2012. Malabar is a regularly scheduled naval field training exercise aimed to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security issues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Grandin)

INDIAN OCEAN (April 12, 2012) Members of the Indian Navy guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay (DDG 55) visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team board the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) as part of Malabar 2012. Malabar is a regularly scheduled naval field training exercise conducted to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security issues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Grandin)

INDIAN OCEAN (April 12, 2012) Members of the Indian Navy guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay (DDG 55) visit, board, search and seizure team board the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) as part of Malabar 2012. Malabar is a regularly scheduled naval field training exercise aimed to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security issues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Grandin)

INDIAN OCEAN (Apr. 12, 2012) Ensign Timothy Eick briefs members of the Visit, Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) team assigned to Indian Navy Ship Satpura (F-48) during a VBSS training exercise aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97). Halsey and Satpura are participating in Malabar, a regularly scheduled naval field training exercise conducted to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual securities between the U.S. and Indian Navies. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Farrington/Released)

INDIAN OCEAN (Apr. 12, 2012) Indian Sailors assigned to the Visit, Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) team aboard Indian Navy Ship Satpura (F-48) practice ship boarding techniques during a VBSS training exercise aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97). Halsey and Satpura are participating in Malabar, a regularly scheduled naval field training exercise conducted to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Farrington/Released)

Kaskus