In a significant development for bilateral maritime cooperation, the Indian Navy and the Italian Navy conducted a historic joint exercise between their Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) from October 1 to 6, 2024. This marks the first time both navies have deployed CSGs together, underscoring their growing defense collaboration.
The exercise commenced with a harbour phase, involving subject matter expert exchanges, professional interactions, and a Pre-Sail Planning Conference. This planning session saw active participation from the Indian Air Force (IAF), setting the stage for a highly coordinated maritime operation.
The sea phase, held on October 5 and 6, featured two of the world’s most advanced carriers; India’s INS Vikramaditya and Italy’s ITS Cavour, alongside guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam and Italian frigate ITS Alpino. The combined naval force engaged in complex maritime drills, including Large Force Engagements, Air Combat Missions, helicopter operations, Search and Rescue missions, coordinated weapon firings, and joint manoeuvres. These exercises highlighted the high degree of interoperability and Command & Control capabilities between the two nations’ navies.
A key highlight of the operation was the involvement of the Indian Air Force, which collaborated closely with Italian CSG aircraft during air missions, including large-scale force engagements and aerial combat exercises.
This landmark exercise not only demonstrated the strength of joint operations but also reinforced the strategic partnership between India and Italy, enhancing maritime security and defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.(pr)