What’s in the news?

• India and the US kicked off a two-day naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal, reflecting the growing congruence in their defence and military partnership. 
• Indian Navy deployed its warship Shivalik and long-range maritime patrol aircraft P8I in the ‘PASSEX’ exercise while the US Navy was represented by the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group.
• A carrier battle group or carrier strike group is a mega naval fleet comprising an aircraft carrier, accompanied by a large number of destroyers, frigates and other ships. 
• In a first, enhancing jointmanship, Indian Air Force fighters have also been included in the exercise affording the IAF an opportunity to practice air interception and air defence with the US Navy.
• The exercise is aimed at consolidating the synergy and interoperability achieved during the Malabar exercise that took place in November last. Besides the Indian Navy, US, Australian and Japanese navies participated in the Malabar naval exercise.

Reference:

1. http://newsonair.com/News?title=Two-day-Indo-US-naval-exercise-PASSEX-in-Bay-of-Bengal-concludes-today&id=413043