27 Mar 25. Indian Navy to hold multinational exercise with African nations in April. The Indian Navy will next month hold an inaugural multinational naval exercise with ten African nations, including South Africa, off the coast of Tanzania as it strengthens ties with the continent. The Indian Navy this week announced that the maiden edition of the Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) will be co-hosted with the Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force (TPDF) off Dar-es-Salaam in mid-April. It will be inaugurated by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The exercise is planned to take place over six days and include participation from Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa in addition to the co-hosts. The harbour phase of the exercise will include tabletop and command post exercises on piracy and information sharing, along with training on seamanship and visit board search and seizure (VBSS). The sea phase comprises seamanship evolutions, search and rescue, VBSS, small arms firing and helicopter operations, the Indian Navy said. Giving background to the exercise, the Indian Navy said India and Africa give immense importance to maritime security “and have reiterated their commitment to increase cooperation in tackling maritime security threats such as piracy, illegal activities including trafficking, unregulated and unreported fishing through sharing of information and surveillance.” AIKEYME “is an initiative in this direction to enhance interoperability with the navies/maritime agencies.” A further initiative will see crew from nine friendly foreign countries deploy aboard an Indian Navy vessel under the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) programme.
“Over the past ten years, Indian Navy has deepened its partnerships with maritime agencies of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), to enhance maritime security in consonance with the Government of India’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region. The Indian Navy has been collaborating with navies of IOR countries on several initiatives such as joint naval exercises, coordinated patrols, information sharing, HADR (humanitarian aid and disaster relief) efforts, capacity building and other diplomatic engagements. With SAGAR entering its second decade, and the announcement of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions (MAHASAGAR) by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, during his visit to Mauritius in March 2025, the Indian Navy is launching its maiden initiatives of IOS Sagar and AIKEYME, which are aimed at consolidating Indian Navy’s stature as the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ and ‘First Responder’ in Indian Ocean Region,” the Indian Navy said.
The Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar initiative aims to enhance cooperation with Indian Ocean Region nations and will see the Saryu-class patrol vessel INS Sunayna deployed to the Southwest Indian Ocean Region between 5 April and 8 May with a combined crew of Indian and 44 foreign crewmembers from Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. The ship will undertake port calls at Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria, and Male and carry out joint surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius and Seychelles. The foreign crew will undergo two weeks of training at various naval professional schools at Kochi in India, including training at sea. Participants are also planned to witness harbour phase activities of Exercise AIKEYME in Dar-es-Salaam.
Tarun Sobti, India’s deputy chief of naval staff, said future editions of AIKEYME will see invitations extended to nations on Africa’s west coast.
This year’s inaugural exercise comes amid growing Chinese economic, military and political influence in Africa, a surge in piracy off the Horn of Africa, and the continued threat from Houthi rebels to global shipping. Over the past decade, India has conducted numerous joint operations with African navies, as well as port visits. India has also strengthened bilateral security ties with Kenya, and for example supplied patrol boats to Mozambique. Last year it participated in Exercise Ibsamar VIII with Brazil and South Africa off the Cape coast. Africa’s eastern coastal waters lie within India’s security perimeter, which led India to deepen its relations with Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania as well. India has established monitoring stations in northern Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles to track maritime activity and boost security in the western Indian Ocean, including the Gulf of Aden and the Mozambique Channel. Information collected from India’s African listening posts is processed at its Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region and, from there, shared with more than 60 partner nations and international organizations. India has invited its African partners to post their own officers at the regional centre. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
25 Mar 25. Milskil and Top Aces Unveil Exclusive Teaming Agreement. Australian defence company, Milskil, and world-leading provider of contracted adversary air (ADAIR) services and air-land integration training, Top Aces, signed a teaming agreement today during the Avalon Australian International Airshow. By combining their service offerings, the goal of the partnership is to provide the safest and most technically advanced, sovereign-based 5th Generation training solution for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Since 2003, Milskil has delivered fully integrated high-end air combat training services to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), including simulation-based air combat training, Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) training, and maintenance instruction for the entire spectrum of the RAAF’s fast jet aircraft. “By partnering with Top Aces, customers will now benefit from an optimum blend of live, synthetic, and AI-based training for enhanced operational readiness,” stated Mr. John “Lono” Lonergan, Managing Director, Milskil. Particularly with the adoption of 5th Generation fleets, the need for realistic, challenging, and affordable training scenarios that replicate near-peer adversary capabilities has surged. “Many allied Air Forces are recognising the value of the commercial ADAIR industry for operational efficiency, fleet life economies, and the continued service of highly experienced veteran Air Force pilots,” said Mr. Paul Bouchard, Chief Executive Officer, Top Aces Inc. Top Aces is the world’s only commercial owner/operator of the F-16 Viper, the most realistic and threat representative training adversary available on the market today. Equipped with the company’s proprietary, open architecture Advanced Aggressor Mission System (AAMS), its F-16 Advanced Aggressor Fighters carry networked, cutting-edge sensors including active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, helmet mounted cueing system (HMCS), scanning long-wave infrared search and track (IRST), and a multitude of other high-end capabilities – effectively replicating the threats posed by 5th Generation adversary fighter aircraft.
“The flexibility of our unique AAMS technology allows customers to continuously adapt their training threats according to their needs and budget. This includes the integration of ongoing advancements in LVC elements and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA),” continued Bouchard.
In 2022, Top Aces expanded its portfolio by acquiring Blue Air Training, the world’s leading provider of Close Air Support and joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) training. A key objective of the Top Aces / Milskil teaming agreement, beyond providing live ADAIR services, is to leverage Blue Air Training’s expertise to establish an Australian-based solution for JTAC and Joint Fires training, including both currency and advanced training.
“The partnership with Top Aces formalizes a long-standing relationship built on a shared culture of delivering exceptional training to the warfighter,” said Lonergan. “Our team will bring world-leading sovereign air combat training capabilities to Australia, enhancing the crucial preparedness and readiness of the ADF and its partner defence forces.”
Bouchard continued: “We’re excited to join forces with Milskil, Australia’s trusted strategic defence partner. Milskil’s deep heritage and understanding of the nation’s air combat training requirements, combined with Top Aces’ 25 years of experience in delivering value-added defense training solutions, will enable us to deliver a truly sovereign, fit-for-purpose capability for the ADF.” (Source: ASD Network)
25 Mar 25. RSAF to test defence capabilities in Cope Tiger 2025. The RSAF is contributing 26 aircraft, ten ground-based air defence systems, and more than 700 personnel to the exercise. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is set to evaluate?its defence capabilities in the ongoing exercise Cope Tiger, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. The 31st edition of this trilateral exercise also sees the participation of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) and the US Air Force (USAF). The exercise is bifurcated into a Command Post Exercise, which was conducted from 17 to 19 December 2024, at Singapore’s Changi Naval Base within the Multinational Operations and Exercise Centre, and a Flying Training Exercise expected for 17 to 28 March 2025 at Korat Air Base and Chandy Range in Thailand. For the 2025 engagement, the RSAF has allocated a lineup of assets including 26 aircraft and ten ground-based air defence systems, supported by a contingent of more than 700 personnel. GlobalData Aerospace and Defense analyst Harshavardhan Dabbiru states that: “Singapore’s participation in Exercise Cope Tiger reflects its goal of military interoperability.
“The country is exploring synergies between crewed and uncrewed platforms for intelligence gathering,” he noted.
Dabbiru added: “Located near the Strait of Malacca, a critical chokepoint in global trade, Singapore is a key hub for international commerce, which also makes it vulnerable to attacks on its critical infrastructure, especially due to any unprecedented conflict between the US and China. While Singapore prioritises military preparedness, it also maintains a delicate diplomatic balance, fostering strong ties with both the US and China, the two major military powers active in the region.
“As geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific intensify, Singapore’s strategic location and defence capabilities make it a valuable partner for its regional allies. Although the country faces no imminent territorial threats, rising South China Sea tensions heighten the risk of entanglement in regional conflicts, reinforcing the need to maintain a combat-ready force. In this regard, Singapore’s participation in exercise Cope Tiger underscores its commitment to air combat readiness and interoperability with allies in an evolving security landscape.”
Singapore’s defence budget for 2025 stands at $17.7bn, (S$23.7bn) with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 4% from 2025 to 2030, according to GlobalData’s report titled “Singapore Defense Market Size, Trends, Budget Allocation, Regulations, Acquisitions, Competitive Landscape and Forecast to 2030.”
The country’s investment in defence capabilities is ongoing, with $6.8bn earmarked for military aircraft and rotorcraft procurement and an additional $1bn for missiles and missile defence systems between 2025 and 2034. In the context of regional power dynamics, Singapore’s strategy involves continuous acquisition of advanced military platforms and participation in multinational exercises like Cope Tiger. Earlier in March 2025, Shield AI announced a collaboration with RSAF and Defence Science and Technology Agency of Singapore, to co-develop AI technologies for autonomous flight operations. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
17 Mar 25. Four multinational military exercises involving the Latvian National Armed Forces along with Allied armed forces are to be held in Latvia. On Tuesday, March 11, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the participation of units of the National Armed Forces in four joint military exercises with units of Allied armed forces in the territory of the Republic of Latvia. It is planned that the SOLAR ECLIPSE, CRYSTAL ARROW, SWIFT RESPONSE and BALTOPS military exercises will each involve units of the National Armed Forces and more than 500 soldiers from Allied countries. SOLAR ECLIPSE is a tactical field exercise for Combat Support Specialists focusing on indirect fire support during fighting in depth, which will improve their skills. The National Armed Forces will train brigades to fight in depth, involving reconnaissance, artillery, anti-tank and command management functions. The military exercise CRYSTAL ARROW is training for the multinational brigade in Latvia and the headquarters and units of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade of the Land Forces focused on improving command management, planning and conducting operations, and conducting defence operations in conditions as close to reality as possible. During the exercise, the National Armed Forces will train in defence operations, as well as the integration of combat support and logistic elements in the execution of brigade-level operations. SWIFT RESPONSE is an exercise organised by the US Army Europe and Africa to develop intelligence capabilities of the National Armed Forces, their support to Allied infiltration operations and counter-landing operations. BALTOPS is an annual NATO exercise in the Baltic Sea region, involving full-spectrum maritime warfare operations in five operational theatres – sea, land, air, cyberspace and space. By participating in the exercise, the National Armed Forces will promote mutual cooperation, strengthen their ability to react rapidly using all types of forces, and demonstrate NATO’s commitment to regional stability and readiness to defend the Baltic Sea region if required. (Source: forces.net)
21 Mar 25. US, Korea, and Japan navies enhance interoperability. The exercise encompassed a range of activities including group sails and advanced maritime communications. The US Navy’s Carrier Strike Group 1 (CSG-1), alongside units from the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), participated in a trilateral naval exercise. The CSG-1 comprises the flagship USS Carl Vinson, Carrier Air Wing 2, the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton, and the guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron 1. The USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) UNIT/s, ROK UNIT/s, JMSDF UNIT/s joined the drills, which were held between 17-20 March 2025. The drills were aimed at advancing interoperability and readiness across various warfare areas. The exercise encompassed a range of activities including group sails, advanced maritime communications, maritime interdiction operations training, air combat drills, and staff exchanges. These drills are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen combined capabilities and improve integration within the Joint Force. In a press release, US Indo-Pacific Command stated: “Enhancing trilateral security cooperation with the ROKN and JMSDF ensures our militaries and self-defence forces can operate together against any threat.” The training exercises build upon the regular trilateral cooperation, including the January 2025 trilateral bomber escort flights. In January, the CSG-1 led by USS Carl Vinson teamed up with the JMSDF and the ROKN for a trilateral maritime exercise. The USS Carl Vinson, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is based in San Diego, California, and was commissioned in 1982. The USS Carl Vinson returned to its homeport at Naval Air Station North Island on 23 February after a four-month deployment in the Western Pacific. The recent trilateral exercise also follows the November 2024 iteration of Freedom Edge, continuing the enhancement of doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures among the allied forces. These trilateral naval exercises are conducted in accordance with international law, ensuring the safety of navigation and respecting the rights and interests of other states. (Source: naval-technology.com)
21 Mar 25. British and Norwegian Navies exercise together prior to major deployment.
* UK and Norway take part in Ex Tamber Shield to prepare for forthcoming Carrier Strike Group deployment
* RN Wildcat helicopters will embark on Norwegian Frigate for the deployment
* UK and Norway have recently started negotiations on a major new defence agreement
Norway is one on the UK’s closest European defence partners and has been training Royal Navy sailors on their ships ahead of the biggest deployment of the year led by HMS Prince of Wales. Norway will commit frigate Roald Amundsen and tanker/support ship Maud to the UK’s upcoming Carrier Strike Group deployment. Norwegian sailors and their British helicopter crews are now ready to join the UK’s premier naval mission of 2025 after a three-week of intensive training in the fjords. More than 200 Royal Navy personnel, four Wildcat helicopters and four fast attack craft have spent the past 20 days raging around the skies and waters near Bergen alongside Norwegian counterparts. Instead of its usual NH90 helicopter, the Amundsen will operate a Royal Navy Wildcat – crewed and maintained by its personnel from 815 Naval Air Squadron. To help with integration, the Wildcats have been working with the Amundsen’s sister ship, HNoMS Otto Sverdrup, plus the Maud, while their crews have gone through damage-control training fighting fires, floods and mock crashes with the Norwegian Navy to understand their equipment and ways of working. Exercise Tamber Shield – now in its third year – has also helped develop tactics which will be employed to defend the carrier group if needed. The exercise builds on the UK and Norway’s ever closer relationship. In December, the Prime Minister travelled to meet his Norwegian counterpart, Jonas Gahr Støre in Bergen to sign a historic new strategic partnership. British P2000 fast patrol boats and Norwegian missile craft manoeuvred rapidly in the fjords, testing the ability of crews of the larger ships to fend them off – and the Wildcats to ‘target’ them with Martlet anti-ship missiles. And the workout in the challenging waters and inlets of western Norway also underscored the Wildcat’s wide-ranging abilities which will be exploited repeatedly during the carrier deploying: anti-submarine warfare, including dropping Sting Ray torpedoes, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance, and search and rescue. All participants are delighted with the outcome of Tamber Shield 2025. Working with allies such as Norway, the UK is committed to stepping up our collective security. That is why the Prime Minister announced the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, protecting British people in new era for national security. This recent training exercise is an example of the UK and its allies stepping up security across the European continent. As members of the Northern Group, both countries are committed to protecting NATO’s northern flank.
“Previous iterations of the exercise laid the foundations with our Norwegian allies, rehearsing maritime strike tactics using the Wildcat’s Martlet missile in Norway’s congested archipelago,” said 815 Naval Air Squadron’s Senior Pilot, Lieutenant Commander Oliver Brooksbank.
“This year has built on those foundations and aims to ensure readiness to deploy alongside on operations in some of the most contested waters in the world, in the defence of the UK Carrier Strike Group.”
Commodore Kyrre Haugen, Norway’s Chief of the Naval Fleet, said the three-week-workout had provided “an exceptional arena for advanced integration training between the Royal Navy and the Royal Norwegian Navy.
“It also gave us the opportunity to do the last preparations for the upcoming Carrier Strike Group deployment. Tamber Shield clearly demonstrates the unique relationship between our navies.”
Lieutenant Jack Mason, Commanding Officer of Royal Navy fast patrol boat HMS Dasher, praised the hosts for the support at base – and the opportunities afforded the P2000 boats of the Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces Squadron at sea.
“The hospitality and support from 334 Skvadron and Haakonsvern Naval Base has been superb, providing medical, engineering and logistical support as required,” he said.
“The P2000s have been able to develop advanced navigation techniques within the Norwegian fjords, whilst also developing standard operating procedures to destroy an air threat within a littoral environment.”
The training comes shortly after the Defence Secretary and his Norwegian counterpart agreed to start negotiations on a major new defence agreement. To help bolster security at home and on the European continent as well as deterring Russian aggression the agreement will bring the UK and Norway closer than ever. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)