Australian and Indian air crews worked side-by-side on joint maritime surveillance and response interoperability training in India during the four-month long regional engagement activity, Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023.
RAAF P-8A Poseidon crew joined their Indian Navy P-8I Neptune mates for bilateral training at Indian Naval Air Station Rajali in India’s Tamil Nadu.
Together, India and Australia practised coordinated maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.
Working side-by-side, the teams enhanced their maritime information sharing skills and maritime domain awareness, improving interoperability and supporting the enduring commitment to work together on common security interests.
A highlight for aircrew from both nations was joining a flight aboard each other’s aircraft and experiencing the similarities and differences in how they operate.
Having served as 11 Squadron Commanding Officer, Air Commodore Tony McCormack, Commander Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023, was excited to be back with the Maritime Surveillance and Response Squadron for Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023.
Air Commodore McCormack was responsible for the acquisition of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft during his time as Director Surveillance and Response in Capability Development Group and enjoyed the opportunity to join the Indian and Australian teams on a flight mission.
“What I saw flying with the crew was absolutely superb, both the Australian and the Indian teams were incredibly professional aviators. I was very proud to see it,” Air Commodore McCormack said.
“I can tell by talking to the crews that together they have built some special friendships and they have shared a lot of experiences and knowledge with each other.”
Chargé d’Affaires Sarah Storey said the activity saw some Australian and Indian friends reunite in their fourth P-8 exercise together.
“This exercise is taking forward our burgeoning relationship and we are just so pleased to see where it’s headed,” Chargé d’Affaires Storey said.
“This year Australia also hosted for the first time Exercise Malabar, which India created. We are just delighted that some of the pilots and crew participated in both activities together.
“We look forward to the relationship going to greater and greater heights.”
Indo-Pacific Endeavour brings people together to share stories, knowledge and friendship on a range of activities from military exercises to sporting events, training activities to cultural ones.
Partner nations from across the region joined the conversation to deepen cooperation on matters ranging from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to gender in military operations.
These activities will further strengthen the bonds shared across the 14 participating countries in Southeast Asia and the Northeast Indian Ocean.
