New Delhi: For the first time, the Indian Navy participating in the multi-lateral maritime exercise La Perouse, in the Eastern Indian Ocean this week.
Indian warships and aircraft exercised with ships and aircraft of French Navy (FN), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) and United States Navy (USN) during the three-day mission.
INS Satpura with an integral helicopter and INS Kiltan, along with P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft, participated.
The exercise, led by French Navy, had participation by French Navy Ships Tonnerre, an amphibious assault ship and frigate Surcouf. The US Navy sent amphibious transport dock ship Somerset.
Australia had (HMAS) Anzac, a frigate and tanker Sirius while Japan Maritime Self-Defence Ship was represented by the destroyer Akebono.
“Exercise La Perouse witnessed complex and advanced naval operations including surface warfare, anti-air warfare and air defence exercises, weapon firing exercises, cross deck flying operations, tactical manoeuvres and seamanship evolutions,” the Indian Navy said.