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The Indian Navy is conducting a major war game in the Bay of Bengal to test operational doctrines and new acquisitions like a missile-firing submarine, official sources said.
"More than 20 warships and submarines and some 40 aircraft from the navy and air force are participating in the war game," navy spokesman, Commander Rahul Gupta, told Indo-Asian New Service. "Preparations for the exercise began in mid-July."
Vice Admiral J C DeSilva, the chief of the navy's eastern command, is in charge of the exercise, which will take into account regional threat perceptions and allow naval commanders to fine tune strategies.
Warships from the navy's two operational formations -- the Bombay-based Western Fleet and Visakhapatnam-based Eastern Fleet -- have been mobilised for the exercise scheduled to end on August 6. INS Sindhushastra, a Russian Kilo-class submarine capable of firing missiles that joined the navy last year, is also being put through its paces.
Apart from the navy's Il-38 and Tu-142 long-range reconnaissance aircraft, the Indian Air Force's Jaguar and MiG-27 combat jets are taking part in the exercise.
"The warships and aircraft have been divided into two sides for a mock battle. Each side has been assigned tasks such as defending ports, crippling 'enemy' ships and disrupting sea lanes of communication routes," said Gupta. "There will also be anti-submarine warfare exercises."
"The exercise will also involve training the personnel in routine tasks like replenishment at sea."
Indo-Asian News Service
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