HMA Ships Success and Parramatta have conducted a port visit to Chennai, India, before their involvement in the bilateral Australian and Indian Navy exercise AUSINDEX.
Indian Navy personnel and awaiting media welcomed the two warships and their excited crews, who enjoyed a highly successful visit before sailing to their next port of call.
“This year’s iteration of AUSINDEX will see the largest deployment of Australian Defence Force elements in India.”
Members of both ships’ companies took the opportunity to participate in community engagements, official hospitality and sporting activities with their Indian Navy counterparts.M
They also enjoyed the local sights, sounds and many cultural experiences Chennai had to offer.
Commanding Officer HMAS Success Captain Darren Grogan said the visit highlighted the importance of deepening Australia’s engagement with India.
“This year’s iteration of AUSINDEX will see the largest deployment of Australian Defence Force elements in India,” Captain Grogan said.
“The relationship between our two countries is fortified by our shared values of democracy and openness.
“India is a significant security partner for Australia in the Indian Ocean and broader Indo-Pacific region.”
The bilateral Defence relationship with India has continued to strengthen since its original inception in 2014, more than tripling the number of defence exercises, meetings and activities between the two countries.
HMA Ships Canberra and Newcastle will join Success and Parramatta and other support personnel drawn from Navy, Army and Air Force to form the Australian Joint Task Group that will participate in AUSINDEX.
The ships are visiting India as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2019, during which they will visit a number of ports in the Indian Ocean and South East Asia to strengthen relationships and interoperability with some of Australia’s close partners in the region.
