Indo-US naval exercise to continue till Oct 4
by Abdul Rauf Beig

On board USS Nimitz

Sept 27: The United States Navy is conducting biggest ever joint exercise — Malabar 05 — about 255 nautical miles off Goa coast along with Indian Navy somewhere in the Arabian Sea. The exercise which began on September 25 would continue upto October 4.

According to the Navy officials the exercise is eighth in the series and involves aircraft carriers — USS Nimitz and INS Viraat — of the US Navy and Indian Navy respectively, for the first time. Besides, these a number of smaller ships including submarines are also taking part in the exercise.

At display in this year’s exercise is the prowess of state-of-the-art FA-18s of US Navy and the ageing Sea Harrier fighters, which have been modified, of Indian Navy. A naval officer of the United States Navy, however, said that Indian defence personnel have matched the skills of US Navy personnel.

The reporters, who were flown on board the USS Nimitz, the largest conventional aircraft carrier were witness to the breath-taking exercises conducted by the US Navy to the precision, including the take off and landings of the F/A-18A/C hornet and F/A-18E/F super hornet aircraft.

Besides, these aircraft, the carrier also carries EA-6B Prowler aircraft, all weather jet designed specifically for use in tactical electronic warfare and E-2C Hawk-eye 2000, an early warning, all weather aircraft, which also has specialized computers, radar and communication equipments which are used to provide command and control to all air wing assets.

The overall length of USS Nimitz is 1,092 feet and its width is 252 feet and is powered by two nuclear power plants and can cruise at a speed of 30-plus knots. It was launched in 1972 and commissioned in 1975. It is about 18 storey high from keel to the top of the mast.

The aircraft carrier, which can be described as a small town, carries over 5,500 staff members of US Navy and has a 53-bed hospital on its board. It is commanded by Captain Ted N Branch, while the carrier air wing is commanded by Captain Thomas Cropper. Rear Admiral Peter H Daly, who head the Carrier Strike Group Eleven, is the commander of group and over-all in-charge.

The flotilla around USS Nimitz consists of two Aegies class destroyers, one Los Angeles class SSN and P3C Orion aircraft are taking part in the exercise.

The exercises being carried out by the two navies include advanced anti-submarine warfare, sea control mission, fleet air defence, surface firing, maritime interdiction operations and VBSS (visit board search and seizure) operations aimed towards anti-piracy and counter terrorism actions at sea.

The exercises are a part of wider co-operation between the Indian and US Navy, which include service-to-service interaction, high-level visits, joint exercises of increasing scope and complexity and military training.




ABOUT MALABAR 05

The eighth of the series of Indo-US Naval Exercise MALABAR 05 will be conducted in the Arabian Sea from 25 Sep to 04 Oct 05, in which frontline ships from both navies will participate. From the US Navy, USS Nimitz, aircraft carrier (with FA-18 Super Hornet fighters and E2C Hawkeye Air Early Warning aircraft), two Aegis class destroyers, one Los Angeles class SSN and P3C Orion aircraft will participate. From the Indian Navy, INS Viraat, aircraft carrier (with Sea Harrier fighters and Sea King helicopters), Delhi Class guided missile destroyer, Godavari class guided missile frigate, Shishumar class submarine, underway replenishment tanker, TU 142M Long Range Maritime Patrol and anti-submarine aircraft, Dornier 228 Maritime Patrol aircraft and other multi-role helicopters are scheduled to take part in this exercise, which has become an annual fixture.

The cooperation between the US Navy and Indian Navy has moved apace with the relationship between the two countries in the recent years. Seven such exercises have been held so far. The process has been characterised by service-to-service interaction, high-level visits, joint exercises of increasing scope and complexity, and significant co-operation in the field of military training. The ongoing operational interaction between the navies of India and the USA stems from an institutionalised roll-on plan, which is determined and reviewed in successive meetings of the Executive Steering Group. This will be the first time that aircraft carriers from the two navies will participate in the Malabar series of exercises. The thrust of Exercise Malabar this year will be on aviation inter-operability, advanced anti-submarine warfare, sea control missions, fleet air defence, surface firings, maritime interdiction and VBSS (Visit Board Search and Seizure) operations towards anti-piracy and counter terrorism actions at sea. In order to streamline interoperability and derive maximum training value from such exercises, the two navies had evolved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which are regularly tested and updated during these bilateral exercises.

The constructive engagement between the Indian Navy and US Navy on issues such as counter-terrorism, anti-piracy, maritime interdiction, search and rescue etc. would be mutually beneficial and operationally relevant for both the navies. The sustained interaction over the years has enabled setting in place a strong foundation upon which a meaningful partnership continues to grow.



050925-N-0413R-043 Indian Ocean (Sept. 25, 2005) – The Indian aircraft carrier CVH Viraat (R 22) underway in the Indian Ocean as part of exercise Malabar 2005. The exercise is designed to increase interoperability between the two navies while enhancing the cooperative security relationship between India and the United States. The at-sea exercise includes maritime interdiction, surface events, sub-surface, air events and personnel exchanges. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Shannon E. Renfroe (RELEASED)



041005-N-0021M-003 Off the coast of India (Oct. 5, 2004) - The Indian Navy frigate INS Brahmaputhra (F 31) follows the guided missile frigate USS Gary (FFG 51) during the opening day of exercise Malabar 04 off the coast of India. Malabar, a bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Indian navies, is designed to increase interoperability between the two navies while enhancing the cooperative security relationship between India and the United States. The at-sea exercise includes maritime interdiction, surface events, sub-surface, air events and personnel exchanges. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class Todd Macdonald (RELEASED)

is that RUST on the Indian Aircraft Carrier?

Also looks like some one gave it a fat lip or put a skate board ramp on the end.

Quoted: is that RUST on the Indian Aircraft Carrier? Also looks like some one gave it a fat lip or put a skate board ramp on the end.

Yes its rust

thats the HMS HERMES there- you know from the Falklands war, 25 years ago.

And she was 35 years old in that war...

And the ski jump is how you launch Harriers.  Only our LHA/LHDs for some inexplicable reason DONT have them out of all Harrier users.

Quoted: 041005-N-0021M-003 Off the coast of India (Oct. 5, 2004) - The Indian Navy frigate INS Brahmaputhra (F 31) follows the guided missile frigate USS Gary (FFG 51)* during the opening day of exercise Malabar 04 off the coast of India. Malabar, a bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Indian navies, is designed to increase interoperability between the two navies while enhancing the cooperative security relationship between India and the United States. The at-sea exercise includes maritime interdiction, surface events, sub-surface, air events and personnel exchanges. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class Todd Macdonald (RELEASED)

*A fine DESRON FIFTEEN Frigate.

Real men sail on FFGs.
Don't tell my mom I was a frigate Sailor.  She still thinks I was a piano player in a whorehouse!

Well, atleast the US Navy can save some time and
money by using the ship-to-ship for Dell tech support.

Quoted: Quoted: is that RUST on the Indian Aircraft Carrier? Also looks like some one gave it a fat lip or put a skate board ramp on the end. Yes its rust thats the HMS HERMES there- you know from the Falklands war, 25 years ago. And she was 35 years old in that war... And the ski jump is how you launch Harriers.  Only our LHA/LHDs for some inexplicable reason DONT have them out of all Harrier users.

It interferes with Helo ops.  Plus, our LHA's and LHD's have much bigger decks than most of those little harrier carriers.