After arousing China with Malabar, Indian Navy awaits Sea Dragon nod

With New Delhi already risking Beijing’s ire by taking part each year in the four-nation Exercise Malabar, the Indian Navy may not participate in the six-nation exercise called Sea Dragon that starts off the US territory of Guam on Thursday.

The other nations participating in Exercise Sea Dragon are Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the US. The Indian Navy detachment of P-8I Poseidon maritime reconnaissance aircraft is awaiting permission from the government to participate.

The Indian Navy had been part of the last Sea Dragon in January 2021.

According to the US Navy, “Sea Dragon 22, primarily centering on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training and excellence, culminates in over 270 hours of in-flight training; ranging from tracking simulated targets to the final problem of tracking a live US Navy submarine.” 

In real life, the opponent would probably be one of the submarines from China’s People’s Liberation Army (Navy), usually referred to as PLA(N).

“During classroom training sessions, pilots and flight officers from all countries build plans and discuss tactics incorporating the capabilities and equipment of their respective nations,” says the US Navy.

Each event will be graded, and the nation scoring the highest total points will receive the coveted Dragon Belt award. In 2021, the Royal Canadian Air Force won the belt and will bring it back to Sea Dragon 2022 to defend the title, according to the US Navy.

“This exercise is an annual, multinational high-end anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training exercise,” said Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Commander Michiyama Tomoyuki. “I believe that by conducting a wide range of training, from classroom training on the ground to actual training targeting submarine, we will be able to improve our tactical skills. In addition, through training, exchange of opinions, and various type of exchanges, we expect to strengthen cooperation and deepen mutual understanding among the participating navies and air forces.”

“As [officer-in-charge] OIC, I am eager for the opportunity to further develop our partnerships with Australia, Canada, India, Japan, and Korea while at Sea Dragon 2022,” said Lieutenant Commander Braz Kennedy, OIC for the US detachment. “The continued growth and increasing complexity of this exercise affords an opportunity to practise ASW tactics, techniques, and procedures with allies and partners that we don’t often get a chance to work with,” he added.

Throughout the Sea Dragon deployment, the six navies will be conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance and theatre outreach operations within the US 7th Fleet area of operations.