India-US naval exercise named Malabar 2013 is underway in the Bay of Bengal. It is the latest in a continuing series of exercises conducted to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security issues.
According to an official release, the exercise features both ashore and at-sea training. While ashore training includes subject matter expert and professional exchanges, at-sea portions are conducted in the Bay of Bengal.
They are designed to advance participating nations’ coordination and capacity to plan and execute tactical operations in a multi national environment. Participation from the US Navy includes the Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Mc Campbell and P3C.
Indian Navy participations include indigenously built Frigate Shivalik, Guided Missile Destroyer Ranvijay and TU-142M Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft.