Admiral D.K. Joshi, Chief of the Naval Staff, and Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, embarked the combined fleets at sea off the East Coast on February 13, 2014. The combined Eastern and Western Fleets are currently engaged in a month-long major exercise. Amongst the large number of participating units are included the aircraft carrier Viraat and the nuclear submarine Chakra.

The exercise will be conducted against the backdrop of two completely networked fleets, widely dispersed across the Indian Ocean region, operating in a dense maritime environment. Missile, torpedo and gunfiring will be undertaken. This year’s exercise will witness the maiden participation of the recently acquired P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft, as also the Hawk fighter trainer aircraft. Besides unmanned aerial vehicles and airborne early warning helicopter of the Indian Navy, air-to-air Refuellers, Jaguars and SU-30 aircraft of the Indian Air Force will also be deployed during the exercise.