New Delhi, June 29: Indian multi-role stealth frigate ‘INS Shivalik’, deployed in the South China Sea and North Pacific Ocean, is participating in the ongoing Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in Pearl Harbor, USA.
This is the world’s largest naval exercise. After participating in the bilateral exercise ‘JIMEX’ between India and Japan, INS Shivalik has reached this famous port of America.
Pearl Harbor or Pearl Harbor is a famous port and deep water naval base of the United States, ten km north-west of Honolulu in Hawaii Island. It is also the headquarters of the US Pacific Fleet. The exercise, which started here on June 27, will continue till July 07. The harbour phase of the exercise will see participation in a number of seminars, exercise planning discussions, sports competitions and reciprocal deck visits. The sea phase of RIMPAC is divided into three sub-phases, wherein the ships will undertake basic and advanced level integration exercises during the first two sub-phases.
The event will culminate with a theatre-level large force tactical exercise. The exercise will also see participation of aircraft carrier battle groups, submarines, maritime reconnaissance aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, remotely piloted surface ships and amphibious force landing operations, including joint operations with special forces of multinational navies.
The aim of the exercise is to enhance interoperability and build trust among the navies of the allied countries. Around 29 countries, led by the US Navy, are participating in the current edition of the multi-faceted exercise.
The world’s largest international maritime exercise ‘RIMPAC’ provides a unique training opportunity while also promoting and maintaining cooperative relationships among the participants, which is vital for ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security of the world’s oceans.
‘INS Shivalik’s’ participation in this exercise, which took place 9000 nautical miles from the Indian coast, is a testimony to the Indian Navy’s capability to operate in any part of the world. INS Shivalik is an indigenously designed and built 6000-tonne guided missile stealth frigate.
