Defense

The exercise, being conducted from August 10 to August 14, 2026, brings together specialist diving and Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel from India and the United States. Unlike major naval exercises centred around destroyers, aircraft carriers, submarines and combat aircraft, the Kochi engagement concentrates on the less visible but critically important disciplines of detecting, handling and neutralising explosive threats in the maritime environment.

During the visit, Admiral Swaminathan will meet senior members of the Mauritian government and security establishment for discussions covering maritime security, defence cooperation, capacity building and military-to-military engagement.

India and Japan are nevertheless far from strangers when it comes to fighter operations. Their first dedicated bilateral fighter exercise, Veer Guardian 2023, was conducted in Japan from January 16 to 26, 2023. The Indian Air Force sent four Su-30MKI fighters, supported by C-17 transport aircraft and an IL-78 aerial refueller, while Japan fielded four F-2s and four F-15 fighters. The exercise included complex air-combat missions and gave both air forces an opportunity to train against aircraft and tactical philosophies very different from their own.