Japan fields chopper carrier for naval exercise with India

Vishal Thapar Sep 13, 2022

Japan has scaled up the level of its bilateral naval exercise with India by fielding the helicopter carrier Izumo in the ongoing 6th edition of the Japan-India Maritime Exercise 2022 (JIMEX 22), which kicked off in the Bay of Bengal on September 11.

The two sides seek to “consolidate the high degree of interoperability that exists between maritime forces of the two countries”, according to a statement issued by the Indian Navy.

India’s emerging military partnership with Japan, particularly in the maritime domain, is one of the pillars of the emerging security architecture in the Indo-Pacific, which will play out through constructs like the Quad. The Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) is one of the most advanced and potent navies in Asia, and the advanced naval exercise is a signal of intent in demonstrating strength and partnership at sea.

Besides the carrier, the JMSDF has fielded the guided missile destroyer Takanami. The Indian Navy is participating in the exercise with potent assets including the guided missile destroyer Ranvijay, stealth frigate Sahyadri, anti-submarine corvettes Kadmatt and Kavaratti, Kilo class submarines, MiG-29K fighter aircraft, P8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft, fleet tanker Jyoti and the offshore patrol vessel Sukanya.

JIMEX 22 involves two phases: Exercises at sea and a harbour phase at Visakhapatnam.

This edition marks the 10th anniversary of JIMEX, which began in Japan in 2012. It also coincides with the 70th anniversary of establishing of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.

“JIMEX 22 seeks to consolidate the high degree of interoperability that exists between maritime forces of the two countries, through complex exercises in the surface, sub-surface and air domains,” the Indian Navy stated.

The Japanese ships are led by Rear Admiral Hirata Toshiyuki, Commander Escort Flotilla Four, while Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, is commanding the Indian warships in the exercise.