http://www.deepikaglobal.com/latestnews.asp?ncode=20839
Mormugao, Goa, Oct 5 (UNI) A five-day, multi-dimensional, low-intensity Indo-US joint naval exercises codenamed 'Malabar 2004' began off the Goa coast in the Arabian Sea today as part of the anti-terrorism operation to protect maritime interests of both the nations.
The sixth in an on-going series of exchanges between the two countries, one of the significant aspects of the exercise is training in Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operation, vital for checking suspect vessels on high seas. Extensive VBSS operations were carried out in the Gulf in the wake of al Qaeda and other terrorist threats.
Malabar 2004 had started on October 1 involving rendezvous of the two forces south of Cape Comorin, at elementary levels of communication checks and basic manoeuvres. The exercise which began today comprises eight operations.
Besides anti-terrorism manoeuvres, the joint exercises would cover advanced communications using digital technology, sea-control, air defence and anti-submarine warfare with the participation of frontline ships.
The joint exercises are being held under the leadership of Captain C S Patham of the Indian warship INS Mysore and Captain J Sorce of US warship USS Cowpens.
The advantage of such exercises is, the captains said, evolution of ''standard operating procedures'' which could be tested and enhanced to face real-time situations of terrorist threats.
With terrorist outfits becoming more active all over the world, it is the immediate need of the navies to forge international alliances to combat such threats before they strike, besides checking piracy and smuggling in the vast maritime zones, they said.
The US Navy ships USS Cowpens and USS Gary and nuclear submarine USS Alexandria and Indian Navy ships INS Brahmaputra, INS Mysore, submarine INS Shankul and oil tanker INS Aditya are participating in the exercises.
Mormugao, Goa, Oct 5 (UNI) A five-day, multi-dimensional, low-intensity Indo-US joint naval exercises codenamed 'Malabar 2004' began off the Goa coast in the Arabian Sea today as part of the anti-terrorism operation to protect maritime interests of both the nations.
The sixth in an on-going series of exchanges between the two countries, one of the significant aspects of the exercise is training in Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operation, vital for checking suspect vessels on high seas. Extensive VBSS operations were carried out in the Gulf in the wake of al Qaeda and other terrorist threats.
Malabar 2004 had started on October 1 involving rendezvous of the two forces south of Cape Comorin, at elementary levels of communication checks and basic manoeuvres. The exercise which began today comprises eight operations.
Besides anti-terrorism manoeuvres, the joint exercises would cover advanced communications using digital technology, sea-control, air defence and anti-submarine warfare with the participation of frontline ships.
The joint exercises are being held under the leadership of Captain C S Patham of the Indian warship INS Mysore and Captain J Sorce of US warship USS Cowpens.
The advantage of such exercises is, the captains said, evolution of ''standard operating procedures'' which could be tested and enhanced to face real-time situations of terrorist threats.
With terrorist outfits becoming more active all over the world, it is the immediate need of the navies to forge international alliances to combat such threats before they strike, besides checking piracy and smuggling in the vast maritime zones, they said.
The US Navy ships USS Cowpens and USS Gary and nuclear submarine USS Alexandria and Indian Navy ships INS Brahmaputra, INS Mysore, submarine INS Shankul and oil tanker INS Aditya are participating in the exercises.
