CONTENTS
- EXERCISE KONKAN 2021
- EXERCISE MALABAR
EXERCISE KONKAN 2021
Focus: GS III- Security Challenges
Why in News?
Exercise Konkan 2021 was held between INS Tabar and HMS Westminster on 16 Aug 21 in the English Channel.
Highlights:
- The exercise included the participation of integral helicopters of the two ships and the Falcon Electronic Warfare aircraft.
- A wide range of exercises including co-ordinated anti-submarine procedures, firing drills, combined maritime picture compilation, combat formation maneuvering and replenishment at sea were conducted.
- These along with the diverse professional engagements held earlier in harbour, have enabled Exercise Konkan 2021 consolidate interoperability and helped cement the strong bonds of friendship the between the two navies.
Exercise Konkan
- It is a naval exercise between India & the UK
- It was first commenced in 2004.
- It was designed to test the ability of the Indian Navy & Royal Navy to operate side-by-side during the war and other crunch scenarios.
- This bilateral exercise is a platform for the two Navies to periodically exercise at sea and in harbour, so as to build interoperability and share best practices.
English Channel
- The English Channel is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France.
- It is the busiest shipping area in the world.
- It is the smallest of the shallow seas around the continental shelf of Europe.
EXERCISE MALABAR
Focus: GS III- Security Challenges
Why in News?
Indian Navy Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt Arrive at Guam, an Island Territory of the USA to participate in Multilateral Maritime Ex Malabar
- The two ships are scheduled to participate in the annual Exercise MALABAR-21, between navies of Australia, India, Japan and the USA.
About Malabar Exercise
- It is an annual trilateral naval exercise between the navies of India, Japan, and the USA which is held alternately in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
- It began as a bilateral naval exercise between India and the USA in 1992 and was expanded into a trilateral format with the inclusion of Japan in 2015.
- India is prepared to expand the Malabar exercise to also include Australia.
Why Indo-Pacific region?
- Maintaining regional stability.
- Strong ties with the USA are seen as a vital tool for enhancing India’s strategic posture.
- For the long-term vision of national interest.
- China’s increasingly active presence in the Indian Ocean region as well as its efforts to expand geopolitical reach in Asia and beyond by the use of trade and military.
- In the present time, the control of sea lanes and ports would be the game, China seems to have taken the lead with its geopolitical project—the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI).
- For adhering to freedom of navigation, adherence to rules-based order and stable trade environment.
- For free sea and air lanes, connectivity and upholding international rules and norms.
