CANBERRA, Australia, November 23 (ANI): The Indian Naval Ship INS Sahyadri, a symbol of India’s indigenous defense capabilities, recently took part in the bilateral naval exercise AUSINDEX 2025 with HMAS Ballarat of the Royal Australian Navy in the Northern Pacific. The exercise marked a significant step in strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Australia.
According to the Indian Navy, warships and aircraft from both nations conducted intensive joint drills and operations aimed at enhancing interoperability and deepening maritime cooperation. The exercise included anti-submarine warfare training, gunnery exercises, and advanced flying operations.
AUSINDEX 2025 reinforced the growing ties between the two navies and highlighted their shared commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
INS Sahyadri, a Shivalik-class guided-missile stealth frigate, demonstrated India’s maritime strength and its ability to operate effectively in distant waters. The participation also reflected India’s expanding blue-water capabilities and active engagement in global maritime affairs. The exercise followed the recently concluded Malabar Exercise.
Australia, India, Japan, and the United States conducted Exercise Malabar 2025 in and around Guam from November 10–18. This year marked the 29th edition of the exercise, which began in 1992 as a bilateral initiative between the United States and India and has since grown in scope with the inclusion of Japan and Australia.
Participants included the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac-class frigate HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155); the Indian Navy’s Shivalik-class guided-missile stealth frigate INS Sahyadri (F 49); the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH 181); and several US assets, including a P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to Commander, Task Force 72, a submarine assigned to Commander, Task Force 74, an explosive ordnance disposal mobile unit under Commander, Task Force 75, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) operating under Commander, Task Force 70 and DESRON 15.
Earlier in October, the Indian and Australian armies concluded the fourth edition of their joint military exercise AustraHind 2025, with a closing ceremony at Irwin Barracks in Perth. The exercise focused on joint company-level operations in open and semi-desert terrain, involving mission planning, tactical drills, and coordination in peacekeeping and humanitarian scenarios.
AustraHind 2025 also provided a platform to integrate emerging military technologies and improve cooperation during joint combat operations. The successful completion of the exercise further strengthened trust and collaboration between the two nations, reflecting their shared commitment to peace, stability, and a secure Indo-Pacific.
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