PM Albanese visits INS Vikrant, says Australia to host Exercise Malabar

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Reflecting the ascent in India-Australia ties Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday was accorded the guard of honour as the primary overseas dignitary onboard the just lately commissioned indigenous plane service INS Vikrant.    

The Australian PM, who’s on an official go to to India, was acquired onboard INS Vikrant by Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar.

Prime Minister Albanese in a press release stated, “I am honoured to be here today on the newly-commissioned, Indian-designed and manufactured INS Vikrant at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. My visit reflects my government’s commitment to place India at the heart of Australia’s approach to the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”

“I am pleased to announce formally, aboard the magnificent INS Vikrant, that later this year Australia will host Exercise Malabar for the first time and India will, also for the first time, participate in Australia’s Talisman Sabre exercise,” he stated.

Both international locations have been unanimous close to the state of affairs within the indo-pacific area.

The Australian chief stated, “A partnership that is of increasing strategic importance as we navigate the challenges of our region together. For Australia, India is a top-tier security partner. The Indian Ocean is central to both countries’ security and prosperity.”

Adding that each international locations “depend on free and open access to sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific for our trade and economic wellbeing,” Albanese stated, “we share an unwavering commitment to upholding the rules-based international order and ensuring the Indo-Pacific is open, inclusive and prosperous.”

There has been an increase in navy engagements between the 2 international locations.

Albanese added that 2023 can be “busier than ever” for our defence cooperation. “More important than these statistics is the sheer complexity and high-end nature of our military engagements, which is unprecedented,” he stated.

INS Vikrant Commissioned in September 2022, is designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited. With 76 per cent indigenous content material, it’s the largest ship ever constructed within the maritime historical past of India.

The ship is designed for a crew of round 1,600 together with ladies officers and sailors. The ship is able to working an air wing consisting of 30 plane comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, along with indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy).

NEW DELHI: Reflecting the ascent in India-Australia ties Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday was accorded the guard of honour as the primary overseas dignitary onboard the just lately commissioned indigenous plane service INS Vikrant.    

The Australian PM, who’s on an official go to to India, was acquired onboard INS Vikrant by Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar.

Prime Minister Albanese in a press release stated, “I am honoured to be here today on the newly-commissioned, Indian-designed and manufactured INS Vikrant at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. My visit reflects my government’s commitment to place India at the heart of Australia’s approach to the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”googletag.cmd.push(operate() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

“I am pleased to announce formally, aboard the magnificent INS Vikrant, that later this year Australia will host Exercise Malabar for the first time and India will, also for the first time, participate in Australia’s Talisman Sabre exercise,” he stated.

Both international locations have been unanimous close to the state of affairs within the indo-pacific area.

The Australian chief stated, “A partnership that is of increasing strategic importance as we navigate the challenges of our region together. For Australia, India is a top-tier security partner. The Indian Ocean is central to both countries’ security and prosperity.”

Adding that each international locations “depend on free and open access to sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific for our trade and economic wellbeing,” Albanese stated, “we share an unwavering commitment to upholding the rules-based international order and ensuring the Indo-Pacific is open, inclusive and prosperous.”

There has been an increase in navy engagements between the 2 international locations.

Albanese added that 2023 can be “busier than ever” for our defence cooperation. “More important than these statistics is the sheer complexity and high-end nature of our military engagements, which is unprecedented,” he stated.

INS Vikrant Commissioned in September 2022, is designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited. With 76 per cent indigenous content material, it’s the largest ship ever constructed within the maritime historical past of India.

The ship is designed for a crew of round 1,600 together with ladies officers and sailors. The ship is able to working an air wing consisting of 30 plane comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, along with indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy).