THIRUVANANTHAPURAMI, 23 June 2021, (TON): India and the US on Wednesday kicked off a two-day wargame in south of Thiruvananthapuram in the Indian Ocean involving tri-services to enhance operational synergy in order to exhibit increasing military presence in the region.

Indian Navy and US Navy regularly undertake bilateral and multilateral exercises which underscore the shared values as partner navies, in ensuring international commitment and synergy to enforce international order,

The US has deployed its strike force including strike naval carrier, fleet of F-18 fighter jets and E-2C Hawkeye to strike group for the exercise. 

The Indian side would make use of Jaguar, Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG 29K fighter aircrafts, IL-78 air-to-air refuelling tanker aircraft, AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft and two Naval warships and fleet of P8I maritime surveillance aircraft during the excercise. 

The US Carrier Strike Group (CSG) comprising of number of destroyers, frigates and other ships is currently deployed in the Indian Ocean region.

A carrier battle group or carrier strike group is a mega naval fleet comprising an aircraft carrier, accompanied by a large number of destroyers, frigates and other ships.

Confirming the commencement of excrcise Indian authorities said, "the two-day exercise aims to strengthen the bilateral relationship and cooperation and coordination in maritime operations. The important ingredient of the exercise would be advanced air-defence drills, cross-deck helicopter operations and anti-submarine manoeuvres." 

 In October last year, India and the US sealed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) to further boost the bilateral defence ties.