1: Floating its Presence in the Pacific- India at Ex Sea Dragon 24

- On January 9th, 2024, the Indian Navy marked a significant milestone by contributing its P-8I aircraft to the Ex Sea Dragon 24.

- This Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise organised by the US Navy saw India's proactive participation from the waters.

2: Aim and objectives of Exercise Sea Dragon 24

- The exercise intended to cultivate interoperability and cooperation between the navies of multiple nations including India, USA, Australia, South Korea, and Japan.

- It concentrated on enhancing ground and air coordination and communication, as per the statement released by the Indian Navy.

3: The Spectrum of Activities in Exercise Sea Dragon 24

- The exercise facilitated multitudes of aircraft to track and anticipate both simulated and live underwater assets, thereby aiming to boost Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities.

- The Indian Navy's P8I, US Navy's P8A, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force's P1, Royal Canadian Air Force's CP-140, Republic of Korea Navy's P3C etc. were key contributors to the exercise.

4: A Lookback at Indian Navy's Previous Engagements

- India's involvement in Ex Sea Dragon 24 didn't come out of the blue, as it had already participated in the La Perouse exercise in March 2023.

- This event was hosted by France aimed at reinforcing maritime security and cooperation and included India among other countries like Australia, Canada, France, Japan, USA, and the UK.

5: The Importance of such Naval Exercises

- These exercises are of paramount importance as they allow for the performing of intricate naval operations and fostering maritime cooperation between different countries.

6: India's maritime Preparedness

- In September 2023, India amplified its maritime defences by procuring an additional six P-8I Anti-Submarine Warfare and surveillance aircraft from the US.

- These aircraft have played a vital role in surveillance in several areas, including Ladakh and during the Doklam crisis.

7: Future Prospects

- The Indian Navy's dynamic participations signal its commitment towards enhancing maritime partnerships and sharpening Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities.

- Such collaborations not only elevate India’s standing as a key contributor to regional security but also underline its resolve to protect its maritime interests, paving the way for a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region in the future.