In a major sign of strengthening ties between India and Australia, the navies of the two nations will be participating in a two-day mega naval force exercise in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) starting today (23 September), reports Economic Times.

The exercise comes at a time when the relations of both India and Australia with China have soured.

This would mark the fourth such exercise which the Indian Navy has participated in since June. Earlier it had carried out such exercises with the United States (US), Japan and Russia. The exercise with Australia will aim at enhancing interoperability, improving understanding and imbibing best practices from each other.

The exercise would involve advanced surface and anti-air exercises including weapon firings, seamanship exercises, naval maneuvers and cross deck flying operations.

The Royal Australian Navy's contingent will include HMAS Hobart which is the lead ship of the Hobart-class air warfare destroyers. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy will deploy several platforms including INS Sahyadri and INS Karmuk.

As per the Navy spokesperson, the exercise is being organised keeping in context the strong bond shared by the two naval forces, elevating the Indo-Australian defence relations and continued efforts of the two governments to work closely to enhance safety and security of the global commons.