A combined bilateral training was conducted by India and the United States. The training’s core focus was on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and maritime domain awareness to strengthen and refine interoperability between the two navies.
“US and India navies fly together! Combined P-8 training near Diego Garcia sharpened anti-submarine warfare skills and maritime domain awareness, bolstering our collective ability to secure the Indo-Pacific,” wrote the US 7th Fleet, in a post on X.
The official statement of the Defence Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) cites, “A multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft (MPRA) P-8A Poseidon from Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72 joined an Indian Navy MPRA P-8I for a bilateral combined detachment and training in the vicinity of Diego Garcia and the Indian Ocean, Oct. 22-28, 2025.”
“Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 is assigned to CTF 72, the command and control headquarters for Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft in the US 7th Fleet, promoting regional security and enhancement of theatre security operations through multilateral engagements and providing reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities,” it further mentioned.
“The US-India strategic partnership is founded on shared values, including a commitment to democracy and upholding security, freedom, and prosperity,” the statement underscored.
Quoting Capt Rodney Erler, commodore of CTF 72, it mentioned, “Our P-8A crews were proud to fly alongside our Indian partners in this combined detachment.”
“Maritime domain awareness, which the global network of P-8 aircraft contributes to, is a critical aspect of identifying threats, traditional and non-traditional, that could threaten the stability and security in the region. By working with our allies and partners, we increase our shared maritime awareness to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The US 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed formation, regularly operates with allies and partners to advance the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
