Five-nation naval exercise begins

US Navy carrier USS Nimitz is part of the exercise

The navies of the United States, Australia, India, Japan and Singapore have begun a massive naval exercise, codenamed "Malabar", in the Bay of Bengal.

Thirty-four ships and submarines from the five countries have joined the six-day exercise, about 100 nautical miles off the Andaman archipelago.

Some analysts say the war games are an attempt by these countries to contain China's growing power.

The participants deny this, but Beijing

has expressed its concerns.

"This will perhaps be the biggest ever peace-time joint naval exercise in Asia," Indian navy spokesman Captain Vinay Garg said.

The ships and submarines would take part in anti-piracy manoeuvres, reconnaissance and rescue missions and improve ways of working together, he said.

Two super-carriers of the US navy - USS Nimitz and USS Kitty Hawk of the Pacific fleet - will be joined by India's lone aircraft carrier, the INS Viraat, in the exercise.

A US nuclear submarine, USS Chicago, is also taking part.

India has denied claims that the exercise is aimed at China. "This is simply directed at ensuring security of the sea lanes of communication," Deputy Defence Minister Pallam Raju said.

The six-day exercise has been fiercely opposed by India's left-wing parties, who see it as "India's growing subservience" to the US.

Reference: BBC News, Calcutta

Besto Regardo,
Take it easy man.What's with all the fuss.It's just another kind of military exercise by the alliance.Why the heck should China feel the heat when Malaysia feel nothing.What..Singapore? Yeah what's wrong with Singapore joining the drill.They just intend to determine whether their arms and cutting edge gadgets are functioning well or schlock.I think the only reason if only there's one,is because China is not cordially invited to participate.

以上です。