Nine Navies Conduct Joint Drills in Strategic Indo-Pacific Straits

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Why in News

The navies of nine Indo-Pacific nations, including India, recently participated in a multilateral exercise named La Perouse, hosted by France. The exercise was conducted in the strategic maritime straits of Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok, which are crucial connectors between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

Key Points:

Participating Nations: India, France (host), Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, United Kingdom and United States
Indian Navy’s Role: India deployed its guided-missile destroyer INS Mumbai for this operation.
The exercise was led by France’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG), centred around the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
The exercise took place in three key maritime straits: Malacca Strait, Sunda Strait and Lombok Strait
The primary focus was to enhance maritime safety by fostering interoperability and collective action during maritime crises.
A key aspect was training in the use of IORIS (Indian Ocean Region Information Sharing system).

INS Mumbai:

INS Mumbai, is a guided missile destroyer, was indigenously built at Mazagaon Dock Limited, Mumbai, and commissioned into the Indian Navy.
Adjudged ‘Best Ship’ thrice and ‘Most Spirited Ship’ twice, a rare distinction for a warship.
Played key roles in major naval operations:
- Op Parakram (2002)
- Op Sukoon (2006): Evacuated Indian, Nepalese, and Sri Lankan citizens from Lebanon.
- Op Rahat (2015): Evacuated Indian and foreign nationals from Yemen.
After a mid-life upgrade, it joined the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam.
Displacement: Over 6,500 tons.
Propulsion: Four gas turbines enabling speeds exceeding 32 knots.
Equipped with advanced weaponry, including:
- Surface-to-Surface and Surface-to-Air Missiles.
- Anti-Submarine rockets and torpedoes.
Operates various naval helicopters, extending its surveillance and operational reach.

Malacca Strait:

The Malacca Strait is situated between the eastern coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra and the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, extending to the southern tip of Thailand.
One of the busiest and most strategically significant maritime passages globally, facilitating a significant portion of the world’s maritime trade.
A critical conduit for oil shipments from the Middle East to East Asian countries, including China and Japan.
Vulnerable to piracy, smuggling, and potential blockades, necessitating coordinated maritime security efforts.

Sunda Strait:

The Sunda Strait lies between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra, connecting the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean.
Contains shallow regions and is dotted with volcanic islands, including Krakatoa.
Serves as an alternative passage to the Malacca Strait for vessels traveling between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Its location is significant for Australian maritime strategy and security.
Volcanic activity and narrow passages pose challenges for large vessels, impacting naval operations.

Lombok Strait:

The Lombok Strait is located between the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok, linking the Indian Ocean to the Makassar Strait and further to the Pacific Ocean.
Deeper than both the Malacca and Sunda Straits, accommodating larger vessels. Allows passage for deep-draft vessels, including large oil tankers and submarines, which cannot transit through the shallower Malacca and Sunda Straits.
Supports significant cargo movement, with an estimated 420 ships carrying 36 million tonnes of cargo worth US$40 billion annually.

Indian Ocean Region Information Sharing (IORIS) System:

IORIS is a secure, web-based maritime coordination and information-sharing platform developed to enhance maritime domain awareness and inter-agency collaboration among Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries.
Facilitates the sharing of operational information on maritime threats in real-time, connecting domestic and international stakeholders.
Provides tools for the real-time management of maritime incidents, improving coordinated responses.
Strengthens the ability of IOR nations to collectively address maritime challenges such as piracy, trafficking, and illegal fishing.
Developed under the EU CRIMARIO project, IORIS is accessible to member countries, enabling them to set up collaborative working environments for improved maritime domain awareness.