India’s P8I Poseidon is a cutting-edge maritime surveillance aircraft that has played a critical role in anti-submarine warfare
The Indian Navy’s P8I aircraft, led by Captain Ajay Kanwar, has landed in Darwin, Australia, to participate in Exercise Kakadu 2024, Australia’s premier multinational maritime warfare exercise. The 16th edition of the biennial exercise, which runs from September 7 to 20, brings together over 30 nations and aims to strengthen regional cooperation and interoperability through trusted partnerships.

Exercise Kakadu is Australia’s largest maritime warfare exercise and a key pillar in fostering defence partnerships among the Indo-Pacific nations. The Indian Navy, through its participation in Kakadu 2024, enhances maritime security and cooperation with international partners. The exercise involves warships, helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft, including India’s advanced P8I Poseidon, a maritime surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft known for its exceptional anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

Captain Ajay Kanwar, commanding officer of the Indian Navy’s INAS 316, leads the Indian contingent in this year’s exercise. Upon arrival, the Indian Navy spokesperson highlighted the overarching theme of the exercise: “Regional Cooperation through Trusted & Proven Partnerships.” The exercise serves as a testament to India’s evolving defence diplomacy and its growing role in maintaining security in the Indo-Pacific.

On Friday (September 13, 2024), the Indian Navy’s Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet joined the top leaders of 28 foreign navies for Fleet Commanders Conference as part of Exercise Kakadu 2024 at Darwin, Australia. “This is keeping in line with furthering GoI's resolve of enhancing #maritimesecurity & cooperation through collaborative efforts,” the Indian Navy Spokesperson said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. 

Strong Focus on Improving Interoperability
 
Exercise Kakadu 2024 includes more than 30 participating countries, each contributing either military assets or personnel. The focus this year is on improving interoperability, ensuring that the armed forces of participating nations can seamlessly collaborate in joint missions and maritime security operations. Australia, as a maritime nation with strong naval capabilities, has consistently hosted Kakadu to improve defence ties and operational readiness in the region.

According to Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, Chief of the Australian Navy, Kakadu 2024 emphasizes the importance of trusted partnerships. “Kakadu deepens relationships and interoperability between participating armed forces. Australia’s prosperity depends on access to the sea, supported by a strong Navy and robust ties with regional partners,” said Vice Admiral Hammond. He stressed the importance of maritime security in ensuring economic stability, a concern shared by all participating countries.

India’s P8I Poseidon is a cutting-edge maritime surveillance aircraft that has played a critical role in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), intelligence gathering, and reconnaissance operations. The aircraft, based on Boeing’s 737 platform, is equipped with sophisticated radar systems, long-range sensors, and precision weaponry, making it an invaluable asset for the Indian Navy.

The P8I’s capabilities in anti-submarine warfare and its ability to monitor vast oceanic spaces make it an ideal participant in multinational exercises like Kakadu. The aircraft has already proven its mettle in previous operations, including the Doklam standoff and the ongoing surveillance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). In Darwin, the P8I will participate in joint maritime operations alongside warships and aircraft from other nations. 

Kakadu 2024 is structured in two main phases: a harbor phase and a sea phase. The harbor phase will involve briefings, a Fleet Commanders’ and Senior Leaders’ conference, ceremonies, and cultural exchanges. These activities will foster camaraderie and mutual understanding among the personnel of participating nations.

The sea phase, on the other hand, will focus on a wide range of tactical maritime activities. These include anti-submarine warfare exercises, surface warfare operations, and air defence drills. The exercise will also feature constabulary operations and high-end combat scenarios, testing the readiness and adaptability of the participating forces in real-world conflict situations.

A multinational Exercise Control element has been established at RAAF Base Darwin to coordinate the air, sea, and subsurface activities across the full spectrum of maritime warfare. The control element will manage the integration of multiple countries’ assets to ensure the seamless execution of joint operations.

Vice Admiral Hammond highlighted the importance of such exercises in building military cooperation: “Kakadu provides an excellent opportunity for professionals to exercise their expertise in a variety of maritime scenarios. This year’s focus on interoperability will see greater integration of Australia’s international partners in all aspects of the exercise.”

India-Australia Defence Cooperation 

India and Australia have significantly deepened their defence cooperation in recent years, particularly through joint exercises like Pitch Black, Malabar, and now Kakadu. India’s participation in Kakadu 2024 follows closely on the heels of Exercise Tarang Shakti, where Australia deployed combat aircraft to India for the first time, further demonstrating the strengthening ties between the two nations.

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia, formalized in 2020, emphasizes practical defence cooperation, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. Both nations recognize the growing security challenges in this region and have prioritized collaborative defence engagements to ensure stability and peace.

Australia’s active participation in India’s defence exercises, and vice versa, reflects the mutual desire to address shared security challenges. As Air Marshal Stephen Chappell of the Royal Australian Air Force stated during Tarang Shakti, “India is a top-tier security partner for Australia, and we are committed to deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific to address emerging threats and security challenges.”

Vice Admiral Hammond emphasized that maritime security is intrinsically linked to economic security. Given the Indo-Pacific region’s strategic significance, maintaining open and secure sea lanes is essential for the prosperity of nations dependent on maritime trade. The collective focus of Exercise Kakadu 2024 on improving interoperability and regional cooperation serves as a proactive measure to counter any threats to regional stability.

Participating nations share a common goal of keeping the Indo-Pacific safe, secure, and open for all. Through multinational exercises like Kakadu, countries can exchange knowledge, refine their tactical operations, and demonstrate their commitment to regional security.

Conclusion: A Shared Commitment to Security

As Exercise Kakadu 2024 unfolds, it highlights the growing importance of joint military exercises in ensuring regional peace and stability. The Indian Navy’s participation, led by Captain Ajay Kanwar and the P8I Poseidon aircraft, showcases India’s evolving capabilities in maritime security and its commitment to strengthening partnerships with global allies.
By engaging in exercises like Kakadu, India continues to demonstrate its pivotal role in the Indo-Pacific region. As the geopolitical landscape evolves, multinational exercises such as these are vital for maintaining peace, security, and prosperity through trusted and proven partnerships.