New Delhi [India], Aug. 3 (ANI): A task force of four warships from the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet is scheduled to conduct an overseas deployment of more than two months in Southeast Asia, the China Sea Southern and Western Pacific, which will include exercises with Quad partners from the United States, Japan and Australia, the Defense Department said.

The deployment of the Indian Naval Task Force will begin earlier this month and will include the guided-missile destroyer Ranvijay, the guided-missile frigate Shivalik, the anti-submarine corvette Kadmatt and the guided-missile corvette Kora.

These latter three ships are indigenous designed and fitted with a versatile range of weapons and sensors, and are made in India by Defense Shipyards, according to a press release from the Department of Defense.

The warships will participate in a series of exercises during the two-month deployment, including the Malabar 2021 naval exercises with US, Japanese and Australian forces.

In other bilateral exercises while deployed, Indian warships will work with naval units from South China Sea riparian states, including Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, the Defense Ministry said. .

During the Indo-Pacific deployment, the ships are expected to participate in bilateral exercises with the Vietnamese People’s Navy, Republic of the Philippines Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy (SIMBEX), Indonesian Navy (Samudra Shakti ) and the Royal Australian Navy (AUS -INDICE).

In addition, they would also participate in the MALABAR-21 multilateral exercise alongside the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the Royal Australian Navy and the United States Navy in the Western Pacific.

“These maritime initiatives strengthen synergy and coordination between the Indian Navy and friendly countries, based on common maritime interests and a commitment to freedom of navigation at sea,” the statement said.

“The deployment of Indian Navy ships aims to emphasize the operational reach, peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly countries to ensure good order in the maritime domain and strengthen the existing ties between India and the countries of the Indo-Pacific, ”the Defense Ministry said.

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The Indian Navy undertakes regular deployments to friendly foreign countries and to the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean regions as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative of “Security and Growth for All in the Region -” SAGAR ”. In addition, such commitments build “bridges of friendship” and strengthen international cooperation.

In addition, it will strengthen military cooperation with friendly countries, which India is pursuing in accordance with the “Act East” policy.

The South China Sea has become a hotbed of naval activity in recent weeks. Last week, a British aircraft carrier strike group crossed the 1.3 million square mile waterway, while a US Surface Action Group and People’s Liberation Army forces China held exercises there.

Beijing claims nearly all of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory, turning numerous reefs and obscure sandbars along the waterway into man-made islands heavily fortified with missiles, tracks, and air systems. weapons. (ANI)