Last week, NATO member Italy made history by engaging in its first-ever joint naval exercise with India in the Indian Ocean, deploying their aircraft carriers.
The Indian Navy announced on X (previously Twitter) that this six-day maritime activity kicked off on October 1 and involved the INS Vikramaditya from India and the ITS Cavour from Italy, alongside two additional warships.
Italian Navy
The visit of the Cavour underscores Italy’s dedication to safeguarding international waters and ensuring freedom of navigation, as stated by the Italian embassy in New Delhi. They emphasized that “Defense is a priority in Italy-India relations.”
This dual-carrier exercise was timely, given China’s expanding influence in the Indian Ocean—a region India considers vital to its security interests and influence.
Earlier this year, in late February to early March, the Indian Navy demonstrated its dual-carrier capabilities with the Russian-built Vikramaditya and the domestically constructed INS Vikrant. Meanwhile, China has three aircraft carriers, with two currently operational.
Throughout the exercise, naval forces from both countries engaged in carrier-based missions using fighter jets and helicopters, conducting numerous operations including air combat, search-and-rescue, and coordinated weapon firings.
This collaboration not only showcased their joint operational capabilities but also improved interoperability, as highlighted by the Indian Navy. The Italian Navy remarked, “Cooperate to get stronger and ready anywhere in the world.”
Looking ahead, India is set to host the Malabar 2024 naval exercise from October 8 to 18 in the Indian Ocean, aiming to enhance maritime situational awareness. This event will also include participation from the U.S., Australia, and Japan.
These four nations are part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), a partnership anchored in their shared vision for a free Indo-Pacific region. China has characterized this group as an “exclusive club” that disrupts regional trust and cooperation.
Recently, U.S. President Joe Biden gathered Quad leaders in Delaware, where they unveiled plans for joint coast guard operations in the Indo-Pacific next year, responding to growing concerns about China’s assertiveness at sea.