An Indian Navy P-8I Neptune has participated in the joint patrolling with the Australian P-8A Poseidon.
Indian Navy’s P8I plane has arrived in Darwin to participate in coordinated maritime operations such as anti-submarine warfare and surface surveillance.
“The aircraft and its crew would be undertaking an operational turnaround at Darwin,” reads the statement, adding that the P8I reached Australia on Monday.
On Tuesday morning, the Royal Australian Airforce said, “We’ve been on patrol with our Indian friends.”
“An Indian Navy P-8I Neptune deployed to RAAF Base Darwin in April & conducted patrols with one of our P-8A Poseidon. This deployment reflects the enduring nature of the India-Australia security partnership,” RAAF said in a tweet.
The team from the Indian Navy’s maritime patrol squadron, Albatross (INAS 312), is scheduled to engage with the 92 Wing of the Royal Australian Air Force.
“P8 aircraft from both the countries would be conducting coordinated operations in anti-submarine warfare and surface surveillance to enhance maritime domain awareness,” India said in the statement.
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“The P8 aircraft, with their demonstrated long reach, have operated jointly during Malabar and AUSINDEX series of exercises, and have a common understanding of operating procedures and information sharing,” it mentioned.
On April 2, India and Australia signed a trade to facilitate duty-free access to each other’s products.
The Royal Australian Navy and the Indian Navy have committed to enhancing their times to create a more stable Indo-Pacific, Defence confirmed this week.
Last year, the Australian and Indian naval forces signed a ‘Navy to Navy’ relationship agreement. As part of the Joint Guidance agreed to by both navies, the countries promised to conduct regular dialogue, exchanges and training to enhance the capabilities of both the forces.