International Armed forces drills Notification Thread

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RSAF & Indian Air Force collaborate



The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) are in the midst of a Joint Military Training (JMT) at Kalaikunda Air Force Station, India.

The RSAF's F-16C/D fighter aircraft, RBS-70 fire unit and PSTAR radar have been deployed to train with the IAF's MiG-27 squadron from Dec 2 to 16, 2010.

JMT 2010 is conducted under the Bilateral Agreement for the Conduct of Joint Military Training and Exercises in India between the RSAF and the IAF, which was established in October 2007.

Click here to find out more!
Aside from training together, the two air forces also interact regularly through the exchange of visits, cross-attendance of courses and other professional exchange programmes.

 

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http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-12/14/c_13649012.htm

NATO members, Eurasian countries hold joint exercise in Turkey


ANKARA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A total of 19 NATO member states and Eurasian countries are holding a joint command exercise in Turkey, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported Tuesday.

Hosted by Turkey's Third Army Corps, the "Eurasian Star-2010 Computer-Aided Command Exercises" started on Dec. 7 and will end on Dec. 15, Colonel Erol Tuna, director of the Third Army Corps for public relations, was quoted as telling a news conference in Istanbul.

Altogether 962 military officials took part in the exercise, coming from NATO members including Turkey, the United States, Germany, Bulgaria, France, the Netherlands, Britain, Spain, Italy, Canada, Romania and Greece as well as Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia and Serbia, said Tuna.

The exercise was aimed at enhancing the training level of headquarters personnel in operational planning and execution and improving cooperation in a peace support operation under the NATO command, said the report.

 

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Mass F-16 launch to fill skies


http://www.f-16.net/news_article4264.html

December 13, 2010 (by SSgt. Robert Biermann & Jodi Jordan) - The skies around Luke Air Force Base will be busier than normal Wednesday during Cactus Starfighter, a large force exercise for the 310th Fighter Squadron and 310th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. During Cactus Starfighter, the combined efforts of Luke units will launch more than 30 F-16s at one time.

 

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http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index....onal-news/cambodia-to-host-army-exercise.html

Cambodia to host army exercise

Cambodia will host another round of United States-backed multinational military exercises next year as part of a global initiative designed to boost countries' peacekeeping capacity, officials from both countries said.

US embassy spokesman Mark Wenig said the event – called Angkor Sentinel 2011 – had been scheduled for May and would be held at the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces' Peacekeeping Training Centre in Kampong Speu province.

"We are continuing to work with the RCAF to build [peace keeping operations] capacity.

Similar to Angkor Sentinel 10, we are looking at an Angkor Sentinel 11 – also based on peacekeeping capacity development," he said.

The event follows on from the Angkor Sentinel 2010, a two-week-long exercise which the country hosted in July. Around 1,000 troops from 26 nations participated in the programme, which was described by Prime Minister Hun Sen as a symbol of the strong military ties between the US and Cambodia.

Some of the particulars of next year's programme – including its cost and exact location – were discussed during an initial planning conference in Phnom Penh yesterday, said Sem Sovanny, director general of the Institute for Peacekeeping Forces, Mines and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance.

Sem Sovanny, who spoke at the conference, did not say how many countries would attend the exercises, but that the Angkor Sentinel 2011 programme would involve command post exercises, in addition to the training of army engineers and medics.

"The Cambodia-USA 2011 exercise is part of the close cooperation between RCAF and the US Army on charity activity and peacekeeping throughout the world," he said.

 

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Three international exercises for the Northern Fleet in 2011

http://www.barentsobserver.com/thre...he-northern-fleet-in-2011.4860042-116321.html

Vessels and units from Russia's Northern Fleet will take part in at least three international exercises in 2011 and continue to patrol the waters in the Gulf of Aden, says Vice Admiral Nikolay Maksimov.

According to Commander of the Northern Fleet Vice Admiral Maksimov, his men and vessels will take part in the Norwegian-Russian joint exercise "Pomor-2011", the international search and rescue exercise "Barents Rescue-2011" and the quadrilateral exercise "Frukus-2011" together with naval forces from France, the U.S. and Great Britain, ITAR-TASS reports.

 

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11980212


US and Japanese warships in joint exercises

Warships from America and Japan have just completed their biggest ever joint exercises, as tensions remain high in East Asia.

They follow recent war games between South Korea and other Asian nations which were designed to show the military strength of America and its allies.

The BBC's Asia Correspondent Alastair Leithead joined the American aircraft carrier, the USS George Washington, off the coast of Okinawa in southern Japan, and sent this report.

 

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Iran conducts large military exercise

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/13/AR2010121300943.html

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran's army has finished a large military exercise by ground forces near the Iraqi border, the state news agency reported Monday. But unlike previous war games in which Iran boasted of weapons advances, the latest maneuvers were largely held under wraps.

The report by the IRNA news agency was the first public word that the maneuvers had been held, and even IRNA's confirmation came only indirectly. The report was about the death of two military officers in a road accident as they came back from "large" exercises by ground forces.

IRNA gave no further details about the maneuvers.

Iran has been holding regular exercises by the various branches of its military and its elite Revolutionary Guard, considered the strongest fighting force in the country. Usually, Iran's state media give them extensive coverage of military exercises to tout the country's strength in the standoff with the United States and its allies over Iran's disputed nuclear program. In November, air defense exercises were meant to showcase Iran's capabilities in defending its nuclear facilities from possible attack.

Iran announced two months ago that it would hold war games in December in the southwestern provinces of Khuzestan and Ilam, both next to Iraq. But there had been no announcement that the maneuvers had begun.

IRNA said the two officers who died were returning from maneuvers "in the south," an apparent reference to the same exercises. It identified the two as Gen. Rahman Forouzandeh , a ground force commander, and his aide, identified only by his rank and family name, Lt. Ordikhani. The report called Forouzandeh a war veteran of Iran-Iraq war in 1980s, saying funeral services will be held for the two on Tuesday in northwestern city of Tabriz where their division is stationed.

It was not clear why the maneuvers were held in secret.

Iran has been working for years to step up the capabilities of its armed forces, at a time when it is locked in a confrontation with the West over its nuclear ambitions. The United States and its allies say Iran is trying to build a nuclear weapon, an accusation Iran denies, saying its program is intended only for peaceful purposes.

Both the U.S. and Israel have not ruled out military option against Iran's controversial nuclear program. Iran also sees presence of the U.S. forces on its doorsteps in Iraq and Afghanistan as a threat. It regularly asks for evacuation of the U.S. forces from the region.

 

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http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20101217/161822334.html

Russian Black Sea Fleet to join NATO naval drills in 2011

The Russian Black Sea Fleet will take part for the first time in NATO's Bold Monarch exercise next year, its commander said on Friday.

"Ahead of us [next year] are tactical drills involving multiple task forces, Russian-Turkish exercises under the Black Sea Partnership program and the NATO drills, Bold Monarch, which the Black Sea Fleet will take part in for the first time," Vice Adm. Vladimir Korolyov said.

Bold Monarch is a major NATO live submarine escape and rescue exercise, involving ships, aircraft and submarines. It will be held next year in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Spain, on June 1-9.

Korolyov also said that the Black Sea Fleet was scheduled to hold joint drills with Ukraine and Italy, and continue its participation in Operation Black Sea Harmony in 2011.

SEVASTOPOL, December 17 (RIA Novosti)

 

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RBN, POLMAR In Joint Exercise

http://brudirect.com/index.php/2010121835534/Local-News/rbn-polmar-in-joint-exercise.html

Bandar Seri Begawan - Bilateral exercises between the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and the Royal Brunei Police Force's Marine Police (POLMAR) in an exercise dubbed SEMBILANG 07/2010 commenced on December 13 and is scheduled to end on December 18.

This year's SEMBILANG exercise is the 7th in the series, where the first exercise took place in May 2000.

The opening ceremony for the exercise was held at RBN Headquarters at Muara Base and was officiated by the Royal Brunei Navy Commander, Colonel (L) Haji Abdul Halim bin Haji Mohd Hanifah.

The aim of the exercise is to enhance inter-operability between RBN and POLMAR, therefore increasing the ability of both forces to conduct surveillance and interception operations within planned zones allowing RBN and POLMAR to project a sense of presence and deterrence within the Brunei Bay and Brunei River.

The exercise had also aimed to enhance the relationship between personnel from both forces through social and sporting interactions.

This year's exercise comprised of three phases - operations in the harbour, sea and post-sea phase.

Exercise SEMBILANG 07/2010 is a maritime interdiction based exercise focusing on boarding operations, diving exercises as well as casevac and helicopter winching exercises.

Both parties also conducted symposiums, inviting guest speakers to talk on maritime law, power of arrest and transnational crimes, where special guests were invited from the Maritime Coordination Centre, Royal Brunei Customs and Excise Department, and the Fisheries Department.

 

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India, Mongolia hold joint military exercises

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article965963.ece
K. V. Prasad
Share · Comment · print · T+ The troops of India and Mongolia engaged in joint exercises, with the latest two-week drill in counter-insurgency ending in Belgaum on Sunday.

Nearly 30 officers and personnel of the Mongolian armed forces participated in the workout called "Nomadic Elephant" along with 50 officers and personnel of the Indian Army in counter-terrorism environment.

The current engagement tapered and ended around the time the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was in India and Pakistan.

Steady growth
Defence cooperation and relations between the militaries of the two countries has seen a steady growth over the last decade with the first joint exercise in 2004. For the last few years, the joint drills are being held every year.

In recent years, the exercises varied with the one in 2005 being held at the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School at Vairnagte, Mizoram while another exercise held in Mongolia in September 2008 was on peacekeeping operations.

Top meetings
Besides exercises, both countries have had visits of top brass with the former Vice-Chief of the Army Staff Lt. Gen. Noble Thamburaj visiting Mongolia last year on the Mongolian armed forces day while its Chief of the Army Staff visited the Defence Expo here.

Mongolian Defence Minister L. Bold was one of the dignitaries at the 2009 Aero India and also took part in the Joint Working Group meeting.

 

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China and Russia to Hold Joint Naval Exercises

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/12/21/2010122101002.html
China and Russia will hold their first joint naval exercise next year in the northern part of the East Sea, Hong Kong's Phoenix TV reported Monday citing Russian media. China and Russia used to hold joint military exercises on land near their shared border that stretches 4,350 km, but the annual exercise, dubbed "Peace Mission," will be held at sea for the first time in 2011.

It is unclear whether the drill is a response to joint military exercises earlier this year involving U.S., South Korean and Japanese troops. Phoenix TV did not say when the joint drill will take place but reported, "Russia has already prepared a basic training plan and both sides plan to meet early next year to discuss it."

A Russian military expert said the country recently reorganized its military structure from six to four regions, and only troops under the Eastern command will participate in the exercise.

Last year's Peace Mission exercise, held in Khabarovsk, Russia and Shenyang, China, involved around 2,600 soldiers from both sides. Joint drills this September in Kazakhstan involved around 5,000 troops from five countries.

 

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Turkey invites Greece to aerial war games for first time: Report

http://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=67667


Turkey has invited Greece to the Anatolian Eagle aerial war games set for next year in what is a first in its history, a report said.
Tuesday, 21 December 2010 17:29

World Bulletin / News Desk

Turkey has invited Greece to the Anatolian Eagle aerial war games set for next year in what is a first in its history, a move that could potentially eradicate the persisting mistrust and confrontation the two countries face in a number of areas, a news report said on Tuesday.

The report, which appeared in the Cumhuriyet daily, also said Greek authorities were considering accepting the Turkish invitation. The joint military drill would challenge the traditional orthodoxies of the region as the two countries face disagreements in the Aegean over territorial waters and in Cyprus, where the two countries back their communities on the long-divided island.

The military exercises will be conducted on June 13-24 in the central Anatolian province of Konya. The Turkish Air Forces (THK) will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year and is thus planning to hold a series of events to mark the special anniversary. The exercise will include several other countries as well.

China, as a non-NATO member, was invited in August of this year to participate in the Anatolian Eagle joint aerial military maneuvers. Although Greece has been a member of NATO since 1952, Turkey and Greece have been at odds due to the Cyprus problem and a dispute over maritime borders in the Aegean.

Turkey also excluded Greece from a list of countries it considers to be a threat to its national security in a recently approved security document, but included Israel in its place.

Israel and Greece, both Turkey's rivals, conducted several joint air drills in the past year following a debacle in diplomatic and military relations between Turkey and the Jewish state, particularly following the May 31 flotilla raid in which Israeli commandoes stormed an aid boat and killed nine civilians.

Last year the Turkish military cancelled the Anatolian Eagle's international segment in a move widely seen as a way to exclude Israel from the exercise.

 

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China ready to hold military exercises with PH

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/ne...hina-ready-to-hold-military-exercises-with-PH

MANILA, Philippines—China is open to having full-scale joint military exercises with the Philippines, and does not view the country's close ties to the United States as an impediment to closer Sino-Philippine cooperation.

"Both sides are very much inspired and encouraged in having even greater cooperation between the two militaries," said Chinese Ambassador to Manila Liu Jianchao.

At a roundtable meeting with the press at his residence in Dasmariñas Village in Makati on Wednesday, the ambassador said joint military exercises between the two countries could be conducted "even now" against drug and human trafficking.

Joint military exercises against terrorism were also possible.

"Why not? I mean when the confidence and trust are boosted, and we have a better understanding, confidence, and trust, we can do better, Liu said.

"Even now, we can do joint military exercises in the area of, for example, in maritime security, maritime rescue, possible exercises against drug trafficking, human trafficking, and again, possibly, terrorism."

Liu said the Philippines' strong alliance with the United States should not impede it from fostering greater military cooperation with other allies, like China, whose military influence in the region is growing.

"I don't see any reason for that. The Philippines is an independent country, and I think that the Philippine people and the Philippine government... have a right to have sustained and strategic cooperative relations with China," he said.

He said military exchange and cooperation was part of "good, neighborly, and strategic relations between China and the Philippines."

But at the same time, he said, "China is happy to see the developments and improvements of relations between the Philippines and the United States. And it hopes that such relationship will benefit the regional peace and stability."

The envoy said proof of the growing military cooperation between China and the Philippines was the recent logistics agreement the two countries signed during a recent visit of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Ricardo David to China.

"We provided 24 million yuan (about P150 million) worth of engineering equipment to the (Philippine) military, mostly for construction, like diggers, pressers, trucks," Liu said.

The ambassador acknowledged that his country was expanding its military presence throughout the region, and the Philippines and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations were a part of this.

"Together with our economic development, we have been able to strengthen our military capabilities for the purpose of a better and effective defense of the land and of the sovereignty of China," he said.

"We'd like to have more dialogues and cooperation with our neighboring countries, including the Asean countries, in making sure that this region is a region of peace and stability and free from conflict," Liu said.

 

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Russia, U.S. to conduct joint exercises in 2012


http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-12/22/c_13660461.htm


MOSCOW, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Russian ground troops will hold joint military exercises with the United States in 2012, local media reported Wednesday.

"A number of trips for preparation works are expected to take place, along with exchanges of training experience in Europe and in the United States," Col. Gen. Alexander Postnikov said in an interview with the Red Star newspaper.

Postnikov also said more drills with Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) members are expected, as well as with Belorussian, Mongolian and Indian armed forces.

The talks over preparations are scheduled for 2011.

 

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http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=232792

Qatar says ready to hold joint military exercise with Iran
Tehran Times Political Desk


TEHRAN – Qatar is ready to hold joint military exercises with Iran in the Persian Gulf, Qatari Armed Forces Chief Hamad Bin Ali Al-Attiyah said in Doha on Friday.


Al-Attiyah made the remarks in a meeting with visiting military delegation from the navy force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Crops.

He said Iran-Qatar relations have been improving as the two countries' leaders are determined to expand ties.

The Qatari commander also called for continued meetings between officials and military commanders of the two countries.

This way, Tehran and Doha can further develop relations in new areas, he added.

Doha is also ready to extend cooperation with Tehran in defense areas and hold military training courses, he stated.

Hamad Bin Ali Al-Attiyah went on to say if the two countries facilitate their interactions in maritime areas, problems caused by illegal sailing in the Persian Gulf waters can be easily resolved.

Brigadier General Alireza Naseri, head of the Iranian military delegation, said the two countries should increase cooperation in a way that can serve as a model for other countries.

Naseri expressed hope Tehran-Doha relations can help strengthen stability and security in the Persian Gulf region

 

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Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to hold joint military exercises

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/arti...nistan agree to hold joint military exercises

Announcement comes after a meeting that Turkey brokered to resolve differences between leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan over militant attacks on their borders.

Source: AHN
Location: Ankara, Turkey Published: December 24, 2010 2:26 p.m. EST
Topics: Politics, Diplomacy, Defense, Alliances, Armed Forces
In an attempt to boost trust between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Turkish President Abdullah Gul announced joint military maneuvers between Turkey and the two nations will be held in April next year.


His announcement came after a meeting that Turkey brokered to resolve differences between leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan over militant attacks on their borders.

The analysis of developments in the region along with review of previous meetings between the intelligence chiefs topped the agenda.

The three leaders also agreed to provide anti-narcotics cooperation between their police forces during the meeting.

They also promised to hold video conferences regularly.

Earlier, Gul said that the summit was aimed at enhancing peace and development between Islamabad and Kabul.

 

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China and Russia plan exercises on anti-terror war

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/world/-/1068/1079058/-/4wc1piz/-/


In the last few years, Russia and China have been strengthening cooperation between their armies and, 2011 will see joint Russo-Chinese manoeuvres in the Sea of Japan.

The manoeuvres are not a rehearsal of a landing on Taiwan, say senior Chinese and Russian officials. Nor are they meant to create a Russo-Chinese military bloc as an alternative to the military union between the US, Japan and South Korea.

In fact, the reason behind these war games is simple. Like many countries today, Russia and China are facing the threat of international terrorism. This was stressed by a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Mrs Jiang Yu, who explained that the main aim of these manoeuvres is to strengthen the two armies' capability to withstand the evil of terrorism.

These joint war games are by no means aimed against any third country, she said.
The unstable situation in the Xinjiang Uygur region in China and in Russia's northern Caucasus points to the fact that the armies of both Russia and China must be strong and mobile enough to react to terrorist challenges.

"To fight with these three evils, we need cooperation and exchange of experience," Russian's Chief of General Staff Nikolay Makarov said.

''Today, we have to face well-organised international terrorist organisations. The world's nations can defeat terrorism only by joining their efforts."

However, there are other reasons for joint Russo-Chinese war games as well. Today, practically all Asian nations are strengthening their armies. India, Japan and both Koreas are actively modernising their arms. Taiwan, backed by the US, is developing its army. (Agencies)

 

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India and Sri Lanka to hold Joint Naval Exercise in 2011

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=68718

India and Sri Lanka today decided on a series of measures to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries. The decisions include conducting a joint naval exercise between the navies of the two countries in 2011, holding formal annual defence dialogue and staff level talks between the Navy and Armies of the two countries beginning next year. The decisions were taken by the two sides at the Defence Secretary level talks in Colombo today. The Indian side was led by the Defence Secretary Shri Pradeep Kaumar and the Sri Lankan side by Mr Gotabhaya Rajapakse. Senior officers of the three Services, Coast Guard, MoD and the Ministry of External Affairs also took part in the discussion. The Sri Lankan side was assisted by the Commanders of the three Services.

New Delhi and Colombo have common security concerns including the security and safety of sea lanes of communication. Both sides agreed that these common concerns will form the basis for bilateral exchanges. In today's meeting the two sides also reviewed major ongoing projects including reactivation of airfields in war torn areas of Sri Lanka. It was decided that the Chief of Indian Air Force will visit Sri Lanka next month.

Shri Kumar also called on the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Prof GL Peiris. He will call on the Sri Lankan President Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa tomorrow.

 

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http://www.haveeru.com.mv/english/details/34061

Maldivian Coastguard gears for joint naval ops with Sri Lanka
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| DATE: 2010-12-30 | PRINT | Share


By Asif Fuard

COLOMBO, December 30 (HNS) - The Maldivian Coastguard along with Sri Lankan Navy is making arrangements to join hands in a bid to eradicate piracy, drug trafficking and human smuggling that has plagued the Indian Ocean region.

The Sri Lanka Navy Spokesman Captain Athula Senarath told Haveeru Daily that the move for both the Sri Lanka Navy and the Maldivian Coastguard to join hands in strengthening the security in the region comes in the light of the recently concluded naval symposium held in Colombo.

"Sri Lanka and Maldives has upheld a steady relationship in terms of maintaining security in the region. As one of our main allies during the war against terrorism and as a close neighbour we are making plans to work closely with the Maldivian Coastguard," he said.

"We hope to conduct joint naval exercises with the Maldivian Coastguard and plans are underway to share naval intelligence which would benefit both countries. Sri Lanka faces issues such as drug trafficking, piracy and human smuggling which are common problems we share with Maldives. In order to combat these problems we have to work together," he said.

"At the recently-concluded naval symposium held in Colombo, which was followed by the Sri Lanka Navy's Diamond Jubilee celebration these matters were discussed with the Navy Commanders of the SAARC region. Sri Lanka Navy is planning a strategy to uphold maritime security in the region by working closely with its neighboring countries," he said.

Sri Lanka's Navy Commander Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe had discussed matters related to maritime security with the visiting Commandant of the Maldives Coastguard, Brigadier General Zakariyya Mansoor who was a guest for the Sri Lanka Navy's Diamond Jubilee Celebration held in Colombo on December 08.

The two commanders had a brief discussion on ways of working together in order to strengthen the maritime security of both Sri Lanka and Maldives and on common issues faced by both countries.

Representatives from 19 countries including 06 Naval Chiefs from around the world participated in the Naval and Maritime Symposium.

Previously the Maldives Coastguard assisted the Sri Lanka Navy by destroying a Tamil Tiger (LTTE) vessel during the final stages of Sri Lanka's nearly three decade long civil war which ended in May 2009.

Naval intelligence reports had indicated that the trawler identified as "Sri Krishna" which was sunk by the Maldives Coastguard in May 2007, had entered Maldivian territorial waters from Tamil Nadu, India and had been carrying a stock of arms and ammunition for the Tamil Tiger rebels fighting in the north of Sri Lanka.

In the wake of the destruction of the Sri Krishna, the Sri Lanka Navy had managed to thwart several later attempts made by the Tamil Tiger rebels that attempted to bring in arms and ammunition into Sri Lanka by interrogating the survivors of said vessel who had been in the custody of the Maldivian Coastguard.

Recent naval intelligence reports have indicated that piracy is on the rise near the waters of Sri Lanka, India and Maldives. The navies and coastguards have been placed on high alert to prevent any vessels in the Indian Ocean region falling pray to Somali pirates who have been recently active between the waters of South India and Maldives.

As a result of the recent reports, the Indian Navy and the Maldivian Coastguard conducted a joint surveillance operation in and around the Maldivian Economic Zone in early December.

 

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Naval exercise 'Varuna 10' starts on Friday

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_naval-exercise-varuna-10-starts-on-friday_1491106

Published: Thursday, Jan 6, 2011, 18:53 IST
Place: New Delhi | Agency: PTI

A French Carrier Strike Group, including a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and submarines, will take part in the bilateral naval exercise 'Varuna 10' with the Indian Navy starting tomorrow off the west coast in Arabian sea.

"In this edition of Varuna, the French Navy will be represented by ships from the French Carrier Strike Group including the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, destroyers FNS Forbin and FNS Tourville, supply ship FNS Meuse and nuclear powered submarine FNS Amethyste," Navy officials said in New Delhi.

The aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle will be carrying its complement of fighter aircraft, Rafale and Super Etendard, airborne early warning aircraft E2C Hawkeye and integral helicopters, they added.

In the exercise, the Indian Navy will match the French Navy with its only aircraft carrier INS Viraat, two indigenous frigates INS Godavari and INS Ganga and one Shishumar class submarine, INS Shalki along with the Sea Harrier fighters.

The harbour phase of the exercise is scheduled from January 7 to 10 and the sea phase will be conducted in the Arabian Sea from January 11 to 14, they said.

The scope of Varuna 10 includes the entire gamut of maritime operations ranging from Aircraft Carrier Operations, anti-submarine warfare operations and maritime interdiction operations exercises, they added.

Till date, eleven such exercises have been conducted. The last exercise Varuna 09 was conducted off the coast of Brest in France from 27 June to July 4 to coincide with the overseas deployment of Indian navy ships to the Mediterranean and Atlantic.