Quad+2 Navy power play in exercise ‘La Perouse’
By our special Correspondent
New Delhi, March 13: The two-day third edition of the multilateral exercise La Perouse commenced in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) on Monday. Besides Quad members, the navies of the UK and France are taking part in the joint exercise in the high waters which oversee significant global trade.
La Perouse exercise is witnessing participation of personnel, ships and integral helicopters of Royal Australian Navy, French Navy, Indian Navy, Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal Navy and the United States Navy, said the Ministry of Defence in an official statement.
The biennial exercise La Perouse is conducted by the French Navy, and is aimed at enhancing maritime domain awareness and optimizing maritime coordination amongst the participating navies in the Indo-Pacific Region, said the ministry, adding “the two-day exercise provides an opportunity for like-minded navies to develop closer links in planning, coordination and information sharing for seamless maritime operations”.
The exercise will witness complex and advanced naval operations including surface warfare, anti-air warfare, air defence exercises, cross-deck landings and tactical maneuvers. “Indigenously built guided missile frigate INS Sahyadri and fleet tanker INS Jyoti will be participating in this edition of the exercise. Participation of Indian Navy in the exercise showcases the high levels of synergy, coordination and inter-operability between the friendly navies, and their commitment to a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region,” added the ministry.
The exercise of the Quad members and the UK and French navies is taking place amid heightened tension between China and the US. Beijing has resorted hawkish commentaries against the US for attempts to contain China with groupings such as Quad, which consists of India, Japan, Australia and the US.
Incidentally, La Perouse exercise is taking place in the Indian Ocean which is being sought by China as its hunting ground for surveillance ships. Yuan Wang 5, which is well-documented to be a surveillance ship belonging to the People’s Liberation Army, has regularly been coming to the Indian Ocean waters in close vicinity to the Indian shores.
Australia will next year be hosting the Malabar exercise, which in turn indicates greater collaboration among the Quad members for joint bid to ensure maritime security and rules-based international order. With China naval capacities far exceeding Indian prowess in the high waters, the joint exercises with strategic partners appear to be an answer to challenge the domineering Chinese presence on the high volume international trade routes.
About The Author
