Indian and Italian navies hold first-ever joint carrier strike group exercise
- In Reports
- 11:23 AM, Oct 08, 2024
- Myind Staff
Last week, the Indian and Italian navies conducted a significant joint maritime exercise off India’s West Coast, marking the first time both navies' Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) operated together. A CSG is a powerful battle formation that includes aircraft carriers along with escort vessels such as destroyers, frigates, and support ships.
The sea phase of the exercise took place on October 5 and 6, with India’s INS Vikramaditya and Italy’s flagship aircraft carrier, ITS Cavour, leading the operation. Alongside them were India’s INS Visakhapatnam, a stealth-guided missile destroyer, and Italy’s ITS Alpino, a frigate. These naval forces engaged in complex operations such as joint manoeuvres, helicopter operations, and Search and Rescue missions. Fighter aircraft from both nations, including India’s MiG-29s and Italy’s F-35B Lightning jets and Harrier aircraft, participated in Air Combat Missions and Large Force Engagements, further enhancing joint operational capabilities.
The two-part exercise began with the harbour phase, where experts from both sides exchanged knowledge, held discussions, and participated in Pre-Sail Planning. This set the stage for the sea phase, where the Carrier Strike Groups conducted coordinated operations and weapon firings to improve communication, command, and control skills between the two navies. The Indian Air Force also took part in these exercises, flying alongside Italian Navy aircraft in joint missions.
A notable highlight of the exercise was the sight of Italian F-35B and Harrier jets flying alongside Indian MiG-29s over the Indian carrier INS Vikramaditya, symbolising the growing collaboration between the two navies. Vice Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, commander-in-chief of the Italian Fleet, praised the Indian Navy’s efforts in maintaining security in the Indian Ocean, particularly in dealing with piracy. He remarked, "The Indian Navy is doing an outstanding job in the region, and it's no coincidence that it is called the Indian Ocean."
This exercise reflects the growing naval cooperation between India and Italy. In 2023, Italy joined the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI) under its Science and Technology pillar. The Italian Navy Ship ITS Morosini made a port visit to Mumbai in August 2023, and earlier that year, INS Sumedha of the Indian Navy participated in a PASSEX exercise with ITS Morosini off Sardinia. Italy also took part in the MILAN 2024 Naval Exercises near Visakhapatnam in February 2024.
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