For the first time in the Indian Navy's history, a US nuclear-powered submarine is scheduled to participate in a Indo-US defence exercise.
Two US warships and a nuclear submarine would join the 'Malabar' series of exercises along with Indian Navy frigates and a German-made 'Shishumar' class HDW submarine in the Arabian Sea off Cochin from October 5 to 10, defence sources said.
American maritime surveillance 'P-3-B Orion' and Indian Navy's shore-based reconnaissance planes and helicopters will carry out sorties during the exercise.
The 'Malabar' exercises were stopped after the Pokhran nuclear tests as the US imposed sanctions against India which
were later lifted.
Multi-purpose naval frigates of Bramhaputra and Godawari classes of warships would comprise the Indian flotilla.
India has evinced interest in purchase of Orion surveillance planes and a 14-member American naval team led by Captain Robert Beattie met their counterparts in New Delhi last week and gave a presentation on these reconnaissance aircraft.
The US is offering India the older 'P-3-B Orion' planes, but is willing to equip them with the latest avionics and surveillance gadgetry.
