The Australian HMAS Arunta has hosted both Indian and Australian dignitaries, plus naval personnel from both countries at an official reception as part of AUSINDEX15 .
Australian High Commissioner to India, Mr Patrick Suckling, Head Navy Capability, Rear Admiral Jonathon Mead, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, and Indian and consulate officials attended the event in Visakhapatnam, India.
The visit to India is important for both Defence and international relations by improving the interoperability of the Royal Australian and Indian Navies while strengthening national ties.
The three Australian units sailed from Visakhapatnam on 16 September to commence the sea phase of the inaugural biennial maritime exercise.
The maritime exercise between India and Australia, AUSINDEX15, was held in Visakhapatnam, India between 12 – 20 Sep 2015.
Three Royal Australian Navy platforms and a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C made the passage to India for the exercise. HMA Ships Sirius and Arunta and submarine Sheean exercised with Indian Navy Ships Shivalik, Ranvijayi and Shakti, along with a P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft during the week-long activity.
The exercise commenced with a harbour phase involving briefings and practical demonstrations ashore, before progressing to sea for various surface, anti-submarine and air warfare exercises. As recently announced by respective Defence Ministers, AUSINDEX will now be held every two years.
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Image: Australian Navy