Show off in Bay of Bengal, Indian Navy Spearheads US and Japanese Navy
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| CVN 71, A 57 and DD 118 |
The Indian Navy's Guided missile Destroyer INS Ranvijay leads this years Malabar Exercise, as expected the Japanese Navy also deploying it's AEGIS class destroyer Fuyuzuki. The US Navy leads the participation by fielding two nuclear powered ships. This years Trilateral exercise involves eight surface ships, two submarines and two anti submarine aircraft. The Malabar exercise initially a bilateral exercise involving US Navy and Indian Navy, some editions include guest Navy's like Japan, Australia and Singapore, rival nation against China.
After series of discussion in US and India, both nations agreed to permanently add Japanese navy into the exercise making the bilateral exercise into trilateral. In 2007 Indian Navy irked the Chinese by conducting the Exercise Malabar with multiple nations with the participation of 26 Ships, one of the biggest Naval showdown in Bay of Bengal close to China. China strongly protested the Indian moves and concerned about foreign Navy's activities close to Chinese Lands. And this time too India planned a week long exercise in Bay of Bengal, with ten ships and two air planes.
INS Vikramaditya, Navy's lone operational Aircraft Carrier, expected to join with the US Navy's Theodore Roosevelt Carrier, however Indian Navy not fielding the Carrier, since it's still in the docks for an minor refit, The INS Vikramaditya's retrofitted Barak 1 SAM batteries yet to fire missiles which is the main reason why Indian Navy not fielded it's Carrier on this exercise.
The US navy brings it's Missile Cruiser USS Normandy, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, which is a Flag ship of many US Task Groups operating all over the world. Indian Navy brings the Rajput class Destroyer INS Ranvijay. However the latest guided missile destroyer INS Kolkata yet to get the Barak 8 missiles, and it will not operational until she gets the defensive missiles. The Japanese brings the Akizuki class destroyer JMSDF Fuyuzuki, one of the modern leading AEGIS class destroyer in the Japanese Navy.
The Three Missile Destroyers leads the way, The flotilla having multiple cruse missiles and anti missile defense systems. The Ranvijay having Brahmos and Styx missiles, Normandy comes with Tomahawk and Harpoon missiles and the Fuyuzuki comes with Type 90 anti shipping cruise missiles. All the participating destroyers also equipped with modern anti submarine warfare system which include Torpedo launching capabilities. In performance wise the USS Normandy leads the Task group.
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| A 57 INS Sakthi Replenishing CVN 71 |
The US Navy brings the Los Angeles Class nuclear attack submarine USS City of Corpus Cristi, The submarine leads the flotilla and stimulate as a hostile submarine during an anti submarine exercise event. The 6000 tons submarine can maneuver underwater posing as threat to entire battle group. The Submarine is a multi role SSN, can capable to launch Tomahawk missiles and Harpoon missiles. The Indian Navy fields the Sindhughosh class submarine a modified Kilo class variant INS Sindhudhwaj. Which having the unique capability of launching Klub cruise missiles, and can launch QR SAM when it surfaced. One of the good reason adding the QR SAM to counter high flying anti submarine planes like P 8I and P 3 Orion.
Both US and India deploying support ships like Littoral class Combat ship USS Fort Worth and the Modern Shivalik class Frigate INS Shivalik, both of them perform fast attack maneuvers against submarines and fighter aircraft's. those multi role ships perform escort missions to the large surface action group. In the ongoing exercise both US and Japanese Naval officials witnessed how the Shivalik will counter inbound threat. During the Exercise an F 18 E fighter aircraft launched from the CVN 71 posed as a incoming bogie. The Shivalik's Task is to shoot down the Enemy plane, and INS Shivalik successfully stimulates the missile launch and interception.
The flotilla's heart is the Nimitz class nuclear powered aircraft Carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt. She was there in Persian Gulf, pounded ISIS positions very hard, and one of the Key player of Battle of Tikrit. Having multiple type of attack aircraft's and support planes, The CVN can carry more than sixty F/A 18 E/F Super hornet fighters include electronic attack aircraft's like EA 18 G growler and E 2D Hawk eye airborne Radar planes. If India deploys the INS Vikramaditya, then it's a good showdown between Indian MiG 29K and US F 18 planes.
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| USS Fort Worth |
The Fleet supported by INS Sakthi Replenishment oiler ship, INS Sakthi support all the ships who needs Fuel and fresh waters and also assist Mechanical supports too, INS Skathi also victim of Submarine's stimulated attack.
The Chinese in Red face due to the Flotilla of Ships in Bay of Bengal. as Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying reacted sharply when asked about the exercise on Monday: “You mentioned India is having naval exercises with U.S. and Japan and you ask whether China is concerned. I think you are thinking too much…Everyday a lot of activities take place around the world. We cannot connect every activity with China.” “We are not that fragile and we are having sound relationship with both India and the U.S. We hope that relevant activities will contribute to the regional stability they will contribute more positive energy for that,”
