New Delhi:  Indian and Japanese coast guard ships have commenced a joint exercise off the Mumbai coast in which helicopters and maritime reconnaissance aircrafts are taking part.

The week-long exercise is the seventh of the series between the two coast guards and the Japanese side has deployed its PLH class warship, according to an official release here today.

The Indian coast guard is fielding seven warships, one hovercarft, one squadron of Chetaks and a squadron of Dronier for maritime exercise.

Coinciding with the exercises, Hiroki Ishikawa, commandent of the Japanese coast guard, will be on an official visit here and hold talks with his Indian counterpart Vice Admiral R F Contractor.