Kochi: The biggest ever Indo-US bilateral Naval exercises, in which a Nuclear submarine from the US Navy's seventh fleet and an Indian submarine are participating, commenced in the Arabian sea off Kerala coast on October 6 morning in damp weather conditions.

Besides the Los Angeles class Attack submarine USS Pasadena (SSN 752), Ticonderoga class Guided Missile Cruiser, USS Chosin (CG 65), The Arleigh Burke-class Guided Missile Destroyer, USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and the auxiliary ship SS Chesapeake are participating in the exercises, fifth in the Malabar series of exercises, which would conclude on October 8. P-3C Patrol and Reconnaissance aircraft of the US Navy has also reached Kochi for the exercises.

Matching the US participation, the Indian Navy's two Guided Missile Frigates – INS Brahmaputra and INS Ganga, and a submarine INS Shalki and a tanker INS Shakti and a variety of integral and shore based aircrafts would showcase the Indian Navy's prowess, Naval sources said.

A variety of exercises of anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare and anti-surface warfare will be held during the three days. At least 1,500 Indian and US Naval personnel are participating in the exercises.

With the threat of terrorism looming large both on land and sea, the exercise expectedly would focus on 'VBSS' – visit, board, search and seizure operations. Maritime interdiction operations and sea control operations would also be held to exercise the ability to control certain areas of the sea for limited duration by friendly forces, the sources added.

The inclement weather would not affect the exercises, sources said.

The radar of USS Chosin, one of the most sophisticated guided missile cruisers in the world, can detect an object the size of a baseball even at a distance of 50 kms, its two vertical launch systems can hold 120 missiles, including Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-2 surface-to-air missiles.

The USS Fitzgerald was equipped with the US Navy's latest anti-surface warfare and most advanced anti- submarine warfare system, sources added.

The ships would be returning to Kochi on October 8 evening after completing the various exercises.

The crew members would also have the opportunity to enjoy cultural exchanges, athletic and social activities.

For the first time, the two Navies after matching their skills on the sea would lock horns for the 'Malabar Cup' on October 9 in three events – Football, Volleyball and Golf.

PTI