Indian Navys P8I aircraft will participate in the third edition ASW exercise Sea Dragon 23

The Indian Navy’s P8I aircraft will participate in Sea Dragon 23, the third edition of the coordinated multilateral anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise for long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

According to a Navy statement, the United States Navy hosts the exercise, for which the P8I aircraft reached Guam in the US on March 14.

The exercise, which began on March 15 and will continue until March 30, stresses coordinated anti-submarine warfare amongst the participating countries.

The Navy said the complexity and scope of these exercises had increased steadily over the past years to include advanced ASW drills.

“Ex Sea Dragon 23 will test the capabilities of participating aircraft in tracking simulated and live underwater targets while also sharing mutual expertise,” the Navy said in a statement.

A P8A of the US Navy, P1 from the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, CP 140 from the Royal Canadian Air Force and P3C from the RoKN will also be part of the exercise.

“The Exercise aims to achieve high levels of synergy and coordination between the friendly navies, which is based on their shared values and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific,” the Navy said.

Last week, the Navy’s INS Sahyadri exercised with the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ship JS Suzutsuki, an Akizuki Class Destroyer in the Arabian Sea.

The exercise aimed to consolidate their shared commitment to regional and global security challenges. It saw cross-deck landings by integral helicopters, tactical manoeuvres and a customary steampast by the ships.