Why in the news?

• Indian Navy’s INS Sahyadri participated in Exercise AUSINDEX – 2025 held in the Northern Pacific Ocean.

Exercise AUSINDEX – 2025

• What is it?: Exercise AUSINDEX 2025 is a biennial bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy, conducted since 2015.
• Aim:  To enhance interoperability, maritime cooperation, and strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Objectives
  • Boost joint operational capabilities through anti-submarine warfare (ASW), gunnery drills, advanced flying operations, and maritime manoeuvres.​
  • Strengthen defence ties, reaffirm commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, aligning with India’s SAGAR vision.​
  • Deepen strategic partnership amid shared concerns over regional security.​
• Key Activities
  • Anti-submarine warfare exercises and gunnery practices involving warships and aircraft.​
  • Advanced flying operations and joint maritime manoeuvres for real-world contingency response.​
• Other Exercises Between India and Australia: AUSTRAHIND (Army), Pitch Black (Air), Malabar, and Quad naval drills.

Source: The Economic Times