Indian and Japanese warships held a small exercise towards the Malacca Strait in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) on Saturday. JDS Kashima (TV-3508) training vessel and JS Shimayuki (TV-3513) destroyer, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Training Squadron, conducted an exercise with INS Rana (D52) Rajput-class destroyer and INS Kulish (P63) Kora-class corvette, Indian Navy at the Indian Ocean. The JMSDF promoted mutual understanding with Indian Navy through this exercise.
Japan has become a regular participant in the high-voltage “Malabar” naval combat exercise between India and the US since 2015, with the three countries being concerned about China’s aggressive muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific region, especially in the South China Sea. Cranking up their bilateral military ties, India and Japan have also kicked off an annual joint land military exercise named “Dharma Guardian” since 2018. The two countries, after holding their first “two-plus-two” defence and foreign ministerial dialogue in November last year.
JDS Kashima (TV-3508) is a training ship of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Built to a unique design during the mid-1990s, Kashima is flagship of the JMSDF Training Fleet. The name Kashima comes from the famous Shinto Kashima Shrine in Ibaraki prefecture, located to the northeast of Tokyo. JS Shimayuki (TV-3513) is a Hatsuyuki-class destroyer of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The Hatsuyuki class were designed as anti-submarine and anti-surface ship operations while being capable of defending themselves against air attack.
INS Rana (D52) is a Rajput-class destroyer in active service with the Five units were built for export to India in the 1980s. All units are currently attached to the Eastern Naval Command. Indian Navy. Five units were built for export to India in the 1980s. All units are currently attached to the Eastern Naval Command. INS Mulish (P63) is a Kora-class corvette, currently in active service with the Indian Navy. Kulish is the third of the four Kora-class corvettes designed under Project25A. She is armed with the P-15 Termit anti-ship missiles and Strela-2 anti-air missiles.
